Key Takeaways:
- The City of Tshwane, led by Mayor Nasiphi Moya, has sparked a dispute with the Department of Correctional Services over an alleged R8 million utility debt.
- The Department of Correctional Services has disputed the claim, accusing the mayor of making public pronouncements without verifying facts.
- The city’s efforts to collect debts aim to fund service roll-outs to communities, with government departments owing the city R2 billion.
- The Department of Correctional Services has not paid its municipal debt since June 2025, with its accounts escalating due to non-payment.
- The city has threatened to publish the names of government institutions that owe the city millions if they do not pay their debts.
Introduction to the Dispute
The City of Tshwane, led by Mayor Nasiphi Moya, has found itself in a heated dispute with the Department of Correctional Services over an alleged R8 million utility debt. The mayor’s post on X announcing the city’s move to target the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Facility sparked the controversy, with the Department of Correctional Services disputing the claim and accusing the mayor of making public pronouncements without verifying facts. The department’s spokesperson, Singabakho Nxumalo, slammed the city for attempting to disconnect electricity at the facility, citing an incorrect account statement.
The Department’s Response
Nxumalo expressed his concern over the mayor’s actions, stating that it is "disturbing" and "deeply humiliating" that the mayor chose to make public pronouncements without ensuring that the facts were verified. He confirmed that no electricity disconnection took place and that city officials were compelled to withdraw after acknowledging their error. Nxumalo called for the mayor to publicly correct the record and apologize for the city’s mistake, stating that the continued fixation on the Department of Correctional Services by the City of Tshwane creates the impression of a deliberate attempt to discredit the department.
The City’s Efforts to Collect Debts
The City of Tshwane’s Human Settlements MMC, Aaron Maluleka, explained that the correctional services centre was among institutions visited by the municipal team as part of the Tshwane Ya Tima revenue collection campaign. The campaign aims to recover unpaid municipal debt from government departments, with the city owed R2 billion. Maluleka stated that the city’s efforts to collect debts aim to fund service roll-outs to communities and that they are not trying to embarrass any department. He encouraged departments to work with the city’s finance department to ensure that their debts are settled.
The Department of Correctional Services’ Debt
On Sunday, the MMC for Health, Tshegofatso Mashabela, revealed that the Department of Correctional Services last paid its municipal debt in June 2025. Since then, the department’s accounts have escalated due to non-payment. Mashabela stated that government institutions now top the list of defaulters, undermining cooperative governance and placing unnecessary strain on municipal finances. He emphasized that the city expects formal correspondence accompanied by proof of payment, not excuses, and that they will begin publishing the names of government institutions that owe the city millions if they do not pay their debts.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The dispute between the City of Tshwane and the Department of Correctional Services highlights the need for accurate and verified information before making public pronouncements. The city’s efforts to collect debts from government departments are crucial in funding service roll-outs to communities. However, the Department of Correctional Services’ non-payment of its municipal debt since June 2025 raises concerns about cooperative governance and the strain on municipal finances. The city’s threat to publish the names of government institutions that owe the city millions may be a necessary step in ensuring accountability and transparency. Ultimately, the city and the department must work together to resolve the dispute and ensure that debts are paid to avoid any further disruptions to essential services.