THE KwaZulu-Natal department of Public Works will today pay the Ulundi municipality R3,2million it owes for property rates, including electricity.

THE KwaZulu-Natal department of Public Works will today pay the Ulundi municipality R3,2million it owes for property rates, including electricity.

The assurance came from the department's head, Fikisiwe Madlopha, yesterday.

This followed an article in Sowetan about a power cut at the old provincial legislature in Ulundi since November 19.

The building now houses 13 government departments and has been without electricity since last week because the department owed the local municipality more than R3million.

The situation was so bad that more than 7000 employees in the building were just loitering.

Madlopha said: "The department acknowledges the lapse in the payment process and has taken steps to address the problem.

"Arrangements have been made with the provincial treasury for the funds to be transferred into the municipal's bank account by today (Friday).

Municipal manager Princess Samukelisiwe said they had decided to cut power after many failed promises by the department.