The City of Tshwane has assured residents that it’ll restore electricity at the Weskoppies Hospital in Pretoria, after it disconnected it yesterday, over the unpaid R1.2 million electricity debt.
The municipality said this is after the Gauteng Department of Health made a commitment to settle the outstanding amount before the end of business today.
“This was not a decision taken lightly.
“We are sensitive to the critical role that hospitals play and deeply respect the work of healthcare professionals, as well as the duty of care owed to the most vulnerable in our society.
“However, the City has a responsibility to apply its credit control measures fairly and consistently across all customers, including government departments,” said Executive Mayor of Tshwane, Nasiphi Moya.
The mayor highlighted that despite the disconnection, the hospital’s backup power systems remained fully operational, and patient care was not compromised.
She said this was confirmed by a statement from the health department, following criticism that the City put the lives of patients at risk.
“I would not have allowed the disconnection if it would have left the facility without power and the subsequent impact on patient care.
“The City did not act without due process. In good faith, we previously agreed not to proceed with disconnection, recognising the department’s financial year-end in March and accepting their assurance that payment would be made in early April. Despite multiple follow-ups, no payment was received, leaving the City with no alternative but to act,” explained Moya.
The mayor highlighted that government departments owe the City more than R1.6 billion for services rendered. Meanwhile, the department spokesperson, Motalatale Modiba, has blamed a system glitch for the non-payment of services.
“The department can confirm that the processing of the R1.2 million owed to the City of Tshwane for March and April electricity consumption was already underway at the time the municipality effected credit control measures. The delay in payment is attributed to the transition to the new financial year. The hospital normally makes additional payments to ensure a continuous electricity supply; however, this time around, it could not do so. The owed amount is currently being processed for payment,” said Modiba.
In addition, Modiba said the department paid R3.8 million to the City of Tshwane in relation to other healthcare facilities in the municipality, on the same day they disconnected the power.
