City of Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya gave an update on key issues that are critical to the recovery and stabilisation of the municipality at a media briefing in Tshwane on Monday.
Regarding the Eskom debt, Dr Moya said the City has reached a landmark agreement with the electricity-generation company to settle the R6.67 billion through a court order which was formalised on 26 November 2024.
The agreement entails the City paying the debt in installments over a period of five years starting in December 2024 and with the City of Tshwane paying its current accounts within thirty days of every month after being billed by Eskom.
On the issue of unpaid wage increases to municipal workers for the last two years, the Mayor announced that the City of Tshwane has asked the Labour Court to seriously look at the minicipality’s dire financial situation and exempt it from paying the said increases.
Judgment has been reserved by the Labour Court in this matter until further notice.
The Mayor also announced that the municipality has recently approved a decision to write off R600 million that is owed to the municipality by the residents of Hammanskraal as a collective because they couldn’t consume the said water safely and regularly.
The Mayor announced that a draft Informal Trading and Township Economy By-Law has been approved for public consultation to regulate small businesses that include spaza shops.
She explained that the by-law is aimed at enforcing stricter licensing requirements, health and safety standards and also outlines penalties for non-compliance by spaza shop owners and other similar businesses.
“We encourage stakeholders to participate actively in the aforesaid public consultation processes as their input will help us shape policies that reflect community needs and priorities,” she said.
“As we approach the midpoint of our 100-Day Recovery Plan for the City of Tshwane, I am inspired by the progress we are making, but I am also aware of the work that lies ahead, from financial recovery to equitable service delivery, but my administration is committed to building a Tshwane that works for all its residents,” said Moya.