CASH-STRAPPED signal distributor Sentech threatens to switch off signals of community television and radio stations that owe it money if they don't pay by tomorrow.

Sentech is a state-owned company that distributes broadcast signals and is under the control of the Department of Communications.

Sentech spokesperson Nthabeleng Mokimiti said: "The company is facing hard times and is introducing various austerity measures to cope with the shortage of cash. Under these circumstances Sentech decided that it was unable to continue to support customers who ignore our plea for payment and who have made no effort to settle their debts."

Yesterday, the Sunday Times reported that Sentech was battling to collect R27 million owed to it by government departments and community radio stations.

It is also struggling to pay the R850,000 monthly rental on its head offices in Fourways, north of Johannesburg.

But Mokimiti would not divulge which governments departments, radio and TV stations owed Sentech.