TELECOMMUNICATIONS parastatal Telkom has cut the telephone lines in provincial government departments of the Northern Province government, including the office of Premier Ngoako Ramathlodi, over unpaid bills totalling about R40-million. The provincial government has described Telkom’s action as ‘unnecessary abuse of power to achieve its results and aimed at disrupting government services to millions of people. the suspension was effected on friday. Emergency telephone services have not been effected by the suspension. Telkom spokeswoman ingrid Krige said the company was motivated by “business principles” to suspend the telephone services. She said Telkom had been experiencing serious problems with the non-payment of accounts by some provincial governments since June 1999.