
City of Joburg squares up with Milpark Hospital over disputed R35m debt
JOHANNESBURG - The City of Johannesburg has expressed deep concern that Milpark Hospital refused medical care to an injured JMPD officer.
The hospital cited an outstanding debt of R35 million owed by the City.
However, the City rejects this claim, saying it owes only R3,9 million, with payments being processed and paid weekly.
City manager, Tshepo Makola, says an investigation is under way on this incident and also a financial audit is being carried out to look at the debt owed to the hospital.

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The Citizen
04-06-2025
- The Citizen
Dundee motorcycle crash leaves father fighting for recovery
The biking community is rallying to support local rider Jono Pienaar, who suffered a life-altering motorcycle accident on Saturday, May 31. Riding home from a charity Poker Run to pick up his daughter, Jono was struck head-on by a car that pulled out in front of him near the Engen Garage on Karel Landman Street. Initially released from the hospital with only Panado syrup, Jono's condition worsened overnight. After a house call by a local doctor, it was confirmed he had sustained severe trauma to his groin and pelvic area, leaving him unable to walk. An update on June 3 from friend Esme Steenkamkp revealed a pelvic dislocation fracture requiring a brace for four to eight weeks. The brace alone costs between R3,000 and R4,000. With Jono bedridden and his wife, Paige, forced to take leave to provide round-the-clock care, the family is struggling to keep food on the table. 'Friends, neighbours and fellow riders are asking anyone who can to contribute whatever they can to help Jono's family weather this crisis. Any donation—no matter how small—will go directly toward groceries, medical needs and basic living expenses until he can return to work. 'To support Jono and his family, please go to the Back a Buddy page to help Jono. Your generosity will make a real difference as he begins the long road to recovery,' said friend and fundraising organiser, Jackie Vermuelen.

IOL News
04-06-2025
- IOL News
R35,000 in 30 Minutes: The world rallies to help little Zoë hear for the first time
Tracy Olivari and her beautiful daughter Zoë Image: Supplied Just days after her heartfelt plea appeared in the Weekend Argus, Tracy Olivari from Goodwood received the kind of news that changes lives forever. In a bid to raise R35,000 for her daughter Zoë's hearing assessment and treatment — a crucial step before the young girl starts Grade 1 — Tracy never imagined how quickly help would come. Thanks to international support, including a powerful boost from American YouTuber Colonel Chris Wyatt, the full amount was raised in just 30 minutes. 'I'm still trying to wrap my head around it,' Tracy shared. 'I thought I'd be waiting months — I didn't expect this to happen in three days, let alone in under an hour. I'm completely overwhelmed.' Four-year-old Zoë's story of being born prematurely at just seven months, and was given only hours to live, touched many people, including Wyatt, a retired US Army colonel known for spotlighting South African stories. Wyatt, shared Zoë's story with his audience, who responded almost instantly — giving Zoë not only a chance to hear for the first time, but the opportunity to start school on equal footing with her peers. Tracy with a brave little Zoë Image: Supplied An appointment has already been booked with an audiologist for 17 June, just ahead of the new school term. It marks the beginning of a long-awaited journey for Zoë, who has never been able to hear since birth and in turn affected her speech. 'At least now, I can take her for proper assessments. That's something I couldn't do before,' Tracy said. 'It's going to be life-changing for her — and for us as a family.' The generosity didn't stop with donations. Cape Town's Fire and Rescue Services also jumped into action to help make one of Zoë's dreams come true. Jermaine Carelse, spokesperson for the City of Cape Town's Fire and Rescue Services, immediately reached out to the Weekend Argus after reading Zoë's story. He offered her a personal tour of the Goodwood Fire Station — her favourite place. 'Most of us in the Fire Service are parents, and we all know the daily struggles and joys our kids bring to our lives,' said Carelse. 'Sometimes, the little moments — like bringing your child to a fire station — become the big ones. And who doesn't want to be a firefighter? We will make Zoë's day extremely special. We also want to show appreciation to Tracy, who is a single parent, and still giving 200% to make memories each day.' Tracy said she wants to stay transparent and keep supporters updated, and has launched a YouTube channel where she will document Zoë's journey — from diagnosis to treatment, and hopefully to the moment she hears for the first time. 'I want people to see where the money is going. I want them to feel a part of this journey. It's their kindness that made it possible.' Tracy recalled the exact moment everything changed. 'I had just left the office, and the campaign had only hit R1,100. My faith was low. I told myself I wouldn't keep checking because I'd just stress myself out. Then I got a call from my mum. She said, 'Tracy, we made it. Go and look.' When I saw that we'd gone over the target, I just cried. I was laughing, crying, silent — everything at once.' Even Zoë's older sister, just eight years old, was moved to tears. 'She said she's so excited to finally hear her sister's voice. We just held each other and cried.' Zoe Olivari Image: Supplied For Tracy, the journey is about more than just hearing aids or doctor's appointments. It's about the everyday moments most take for granted. 'She doesn't know what a bird sounds like. She's never heard my voice. I can't call out to her when she runs off — I just have to follow. I can't wait to hear her say: 'I love you, Mommy'. To hear it — not just feel it — that will be everything '2025 — who would've thought this would be the year everything turned around? It's a reminder that God really does come through. And that there are still incredibly good people in the world.' 'To every single person who donated — from the bottom of my heart, thank you. You've done more than help my daughter hear. You've shown us love, hope, and humanity. 'Thank you for the prayers especially- there is really power in prayer =. To the Fire department, thank you for reaching out, I know Zoë is going to love experiencing the big fire trucks, she's always been fascinated with it. 'And to the Weekend Argus — thank you for helping us tell our story…Thank you for being the one publication who got back to me. You helped change our lives.' [email protected] Weekend Argus

IOL News
10-05-2025
- IOL News
Doctor bewildered by eThekwini Municipality's R2. 8 million utility bill
A Reservoir Hills doctor received a R2.8 million utility bill from the eThekwini Municipality for April 2025. Dr Terence Govender said his average monthly bill was R8 500. Image: Supplied A Reservoir Hills doctor has been left perplexed after receiving a R2.8 million utility bill from the eThekwini Municipality for April 2025. Doctor Terence Govender said his average monthly bill was R8 500 and was left bemused by his latest bill. For March, Govender was billed R2.7 million in total, which consists of rates R1 820, Water and Sanitation R1 276, and Cleansing and Solid Waste (CSW) R256. He was billed R2.3 million for electricity and R358 311 VAT. Govender's bill for April totalled R91 000. This included water R1 680, Electricity R55 000, CSW R256, interest on arrears R23 641, VAT R8 636. Govender's total bill for March and April amounted to R2.8 million. Govender said that after he had complained, an official came to his home and business to take down the readings. He said all the official said was he would look into it. "I have never been in arrears; I normally pay extra in some months to stay ahead. Some time ago, the bill came to R20 000, and I just paid it to avoid the long queues and nonsense you hear at call centres in the city. This time around, I will take them to task. On the bill, they also use threats of disconnection if you do not pay," Govender said. He blamed the municipality for what he called incompetent employees. He said that at first, he was seething with anger and stressed out, but then as the days passed, he began to laugh about it. Govender said he has generators and inverters at his home, but still pays a high bill. He said there were always prolonged electricity and water supply issues, but residents' bills remained the same monthly. Last week, he spent R3 500 on diesel to operate the generators during a power outage that lasted more than two days in Reservoir Hills. "I am not sure where they thumb sucked these figures from. What happens to those unsuspecting pensioners and other residents who are falling into this situation and making plans to pay off amounts like this? They force people to pay first and claim back later. Now they have pushed their luck and gone beyond. We will take them to court," Govender said. Reservoir Hills Ratepayers Association (RHRA) Director Yogesh Naidoo said, despite alerting the municipality to the problem in April, the RHRA did not receive any feedback. The RHRA raised the following concerns with the municipality: The electricity charge alone is R55 639.37 for a residential property, with no commercial operations or unusual usage patterns. The total arrears and monthly charges are unsubstantiated and continue to escalate with no proper reconciliation or supporting breakdown. Govender has previously attempted to resolve this issue with the Revenue Department without success or response. Naidoo said that the RHRA demand a comprehensive audit and itemised reconciliation of this account from January 2023 to April 2025. The RHRA called for: An immediate halt to interest and penalty accruals pending resolution of this dispute. A formal acknowledgment of this complaint and assignment of a reference number. Prevention of any termination or suspension of services to properties under Govender's property portfolio. Naidoo warned that if there was continued inaction, the RHRA would escalate the matter to the office of the Public Protector, the South African Human Rights Commission, National Energy Regulator of South Africa, and the Auditor-General of South Africa because "this is a clear case of administrative failure causing financial prejudice to a compliant ratepayer". According to the municipality's finance committee revenue management report for April 2025, household debt, which mainly includes individual/residential customer accounts, remains high at R25 billion, contributing to 75% of the total debtors. For January 2025, the city disconnected 704 electricity and 3 767 customers for water arrears, investigations, and tampering. The municipality was also concerned about the Suprema and Revenue Management System (RMS), which had not yet materialised, thus resulting in no proper data in place for customers who are part of the 80/20 electricity programme. The eThekwini finance committee also requested a report on the migration of the RMS and Suprema system at the next meeting. In January 2025, the city billed 926 282 accounts. In the report, some of the challenges the accounts management section faces were non-completion of monthly billing due to network and technical glitches. The municipal meter management services department is a combined meter reading for water and electricity, which was integrated into the revenue management unit in October 2024. The meter reading contract for electricity expired last year. The report stated that the procurement for external meter readers is under way. Attempts to get a comment from the municipality were unsuccessful at the time of publication. [email protected]