By Cllr Nasiphi Moya
Executive Mayor of Tshwane
On Monday, 5 May 2025, the City of Tshwane disconnected electricity supply to Weskoppies Hospital due to the Gauteng Department of Health’s (GDoH) failure to settle R1.2 million in overdue electricity charges for March and April.
Following the disconnection, the GDoH has now committed to settling the outstanding amount and the City will proceed with reconnection.
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.
I want to assure residents that the hospital’s backup power systems remained fully operational during the disconnection, and patient care was not compromised.
This was confirmed by the GDoH in its own public statement.
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 GDoH’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.
Government departments currently owe the City more than R1.6 billion for services rendered.
The City is beginning a recovery from a long period of financial distress, and our ability to deliver quality services to millions of residents depends on consistent revenue collection from all
customer groups.
Ensuring that everyone, including government departments, honours their financial obligations is essential to
sustaining service delivery for our residents.
As we work to restore Tshwane’s financial health, the Tshwane Ya Tima programme plays a critical role in reinforcing a culture of payment and accountability.
It is only fair that credit control measures are applied consistently, and that all customers are treated equally.
This approach strengthens the City’s finances and protects the integrity of our service delivery systems.
We remain committed to cooperative intergovernmental relations, but we will
continue to act in the interests of fairness, accountability, and sustainable service delivery for all our residents.