Government owned signal distributor Sentech has announced that it will discontinue signal distribution services to customers who are refusing to pay their accounts from tomorrow onwards.

 

In the past three weeks Sentech has twice sent letters informing customers that the service would be discontinued unless payment was made to settle outstanding amounts due to the company.

 

According to the group, “most of the customers ignored our letters and the subsequent reminders. All customers signed agreements with Sentech for the provision of signal distribution services or for equipment and bandwidth capacity. We urge our customers to pay their outstanding accounts so that they can continue to provide services to their communities and stakeholders. Their failure to honour their financial obligation affects the company’s revenue.”

 

The biggest culprits are reportedly “government departments and community broadcasters”.

 

“The company is facing hard times and is introducing various austerity measures to cope with the shortage of cash. In these circumstances, the company has decided that it is unable to continue to support customers who ignore our plea for payment and who have made no effort to settle their debts” revealed a Sentech media statement.

 

In a break down of accounts, which was included with the media statement, Sentech revealed that it is owed R30 917 794 from defaulting customers.