Hon Minister, you correctly indicated that this is a very complex issue with a culture of non-
payment that does need to be addressed and we should all try to assist in that regard.
I would like to just focus on the one area and that is
... as we know many municipalities, in fact all, buy their bulk services, whether it is water or electricity from the bulk service providers. And that is seen as part ... they've been sell it on.
Is it not possible, the fact that they are selling it on and they are deriving revenue to ring fence that revenue that they obtain for selling electricity to consumers or sell in water to ring fence it which will enable and ensure that those funds are then paid over to the bulk service providers? That could be a possible option to resolve this outstanding debt. Thank you so much.
The MINISTER OF CO-OPERATIVE GOVERNANCE AND TRADITIONAL
AFFAIRS: Chairperson, yes, I think it's an option but I think as you say yourself, it's complex, because in some instances they buy the services and they sell them less than the price they buying it. So, even if they are paying everything that they get, they still owe. So, we
are also trying to work with them so that they don't buy from Eskom, for example, ten rands and sell for eight rands, because thy will forever be owing Eskom if they do that. But some of the municipalities are actually doing that and
IsiZulu:
USIHLALO WENDLU (Nk M G Boroto): Ngiyaxolisa ikibalekele i-Mic.