Water has been restored to the Schotsche Kloof flats in Bo-Kaap after residents endured weeks of restrictions. However, the City of Cape Town says the reconnection comes with strict conditions aimed at addressing outstanding debt.
Some residents at the flats say they have been without running water for the past month after the City restricted supply over unpaid debts.
According to the City, the Schotsche Kloof Body Corporate, which manages the flats, owes the municipality R17 million.
The Body Corporate has reportedly paid only R50 000 this year despite monthly bills averaging R170 000.
Standpipes were installed near the flats to ensure residents still had access to water.
Responding to People’s Post queries, the city said a reconnection of services with conditions among others:
· Enhance the accountability of the Body Corporate which has to date failed in its duties to the owners
· Install prepaid water submeters with quotes from three independent firms to be presented by the Body Corporate to the owners of the blocks at the AGM on Tuesday 7 July;
· Pay R50 000 in arrears debt for end of June and also end of July to ensure a lock can be placed on all accounts so as to prevent disconnection;
· Set in place an agreed payment arrangement next month, effective from Saturday 1 August.
“City is compelled by the law to take debt action. It may not ignore debt. Over the years it has tried to assist on countless occasions. The conditions imposed must be adhered to and the owners should hold the Body Corporate to account to ensure the situation is resolved within the conditions set,” read the statement.
Aboebakar Diedericks, one of the trustees of the body corporate, previously told People’s Post that they have been in back-and-forth meetings with the City for several years, adding that the municipality had sold the units to residents on a bulk water metering system.
He said the 191 flats only have 16 water meters.
According to Diedericks, the debt has ballooned to R17 million largely due to accumulated interest.
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