06 Jul 2016

Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources, Mr Kitso Mokaila says he is not aware of any two government houses in Boteti East that Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) is denying them water due to outstanding bills of the previous occupants.

He said it would be helpful and beneficial if he was provided with more information regarding the matter, as that could help him to respond accordingly.

Minister Mokaila said however, with regard to disconnection of properties from water supply, the WUC policy provides for the properties to be disconnected from water supply and only re-connected once the bill had been settled.

“This applies to all properties be it domestic, business or government. It remains the landlord or property owner’s responsibility to ensure that their tenants service their water bills,” he said.

Mr Mokaila said if the houses were disconnected for non-payments, they would only be re-connected after payment had been received, adding WUC offers an instalment plan for customers who were not able to settle the outstanding amount at once.

The WUC policy on disconnection for non-payment, he said would be maintained because it assists in the debt recovery for defaulting properties.

Boteti East Member of Parliament, Mr Sethomo Lelatisitswe, had asked the Minister of Minerals, Energy and Water Resources if he was aware of the two government houses in Boteti East in which Water Utilities Corporation (WUC) was denying the current occupants water due to outstanding bills of the previous occupants.

He also asked where these houses are and how long this has been happening and whether there was any law passed regarding the action by WUC officials.

MP Lelatisitswe further wanted to know if the WUC contract was between them and the plot or between them and the person signing the contract to use their services.  He questioned when these houses would be connected with water and what action the minister was going to take to avoid that situation in future. ENDS