{
  "id": 8176471,
  "title": "‘No chance to get millions back’: Thaba Chweu spent R103 million more than it earned this year",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/18/no-chance-to-get-millions-back-thaba-chweu-spent-r103-million-more",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-09-18T04:40:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "The Citizen",
    "slug": "the-citizen",
    "url": "https://www.citizen.co.za/news/south-africa/thaba-chweu-spent-r103-million-more-than-it-earned-this-year/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Thaba Chweu local municipality faced a R103.75 million deficit in the financial year, far exceeding its revenue. The auditor-general flagged several issues with the municipality's financial management, including an average 263-day payment period to creditors, exceeding the 30-day limit. Over 99% of the municipality's debt is unlikely to be recovered. The data further revealed that more than half of the next year's budget had already been spent in previous years. The municipality's water losses totaled R59.5 million, accounting for 48% of the water flowing through municipal pipelines, while electricity losses amounted to R161.9 million, or 50% of the electricity units distributed. The total operating budget approved by council was R1 billion, with employee costs standing at R280 million. The municipality acknowledged cash-flow constraints, particularly in managing its Eskom account, which currently owed R2.2 billion due to excessive electricity distribution losses. Despite these challenges, the municipality has partnered with Eskom through a Distribution Agency Agreement to restructure debt and optimise electricity trading services.",
  "summary": "Water losses hit 48% and electricity losses 50% as Thaba Chweu fails to fund its budget.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}