THE Umtata City Council, in a tough bid to recover R1,4-million in outstanding debts from the Bisho government, has cut electricity to government offices, schools and the University of Transkei (Unitra). Telecommunications giant Telkom also had its power cut for failing to pay a R450000 electricity bill. Council representative Sonwabo Mapoza added that water supply cuts will be next if non-payment continued. Mapoza said the Eastern Cape government has developed an “unacceptable culture” of failing to pay on time for municipal services and the council, its patience exhausted, has decided to put an end to compromise solution.