It's just a couple days before matriculants sit for their prelim exams but unfortunately 18 schools gave been disconnected and are without water and electricity in Msunduzi municipality.

THEY MUST PAY

Mayor Mzimkhulu Thebolla emphasised that schools have a responsibility to pay for services with the grants they receive from the government. 

He said these 18 schools combined owe the municipality over R32 million including arrears.

"We value the education of our children and know it's one of the priorities of the current administration and we hold it dearly in our heart. Hence we won't do anything to jeopardise the future of young South Africans."

He said however, as a municipality they have a responsibility to provide services in a sustainable manner to everybody.

"The schools we are talking about here are Section 21 schools and all of the receive grants from the government for them to be able to carry on with the day to day running of the school. Part of that grant is for them to prioritise municipal services, which unfortunately in this case they were not prioritised. We are talking here of 18 schools that owe the municipality more than R23 million with arrears and interests. There's nothing else that the municipality can do at this point but to implement the credit control policy which includes cutting off electricity and water."

NOTICE

Acting municipal manager Sabelo Hlela issued a public notice about the municipality's decision.

"Msunduzi Municipality wishes to inform the public that it will commence the disconnection of schools with outstanding debts related to municipal services and rates. This decision comes after repeated opportunities were extended to the Department of Education to address these overdue payments. Despite our efforts to provide extended deadlines and support, the outstanding balances have not been resolved." The municipality has appointed 14 contractors to carry out disconnections in both residential areas and schools.