Latest news with #CityTshwane
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Tshwane unveils new cherry pickers to get services off the ground
Tshwane unveils new cherry pickers to get services off the ground Non-functional streetlights and non-regular tree pruning could be things of the past for Tshwane after the metro unveiled a fleet of 14 cherry pickers to get service delivery off the ground. The metro unveiled 14 out of its 100 cherry picker fleet on June 3, aimed to reduce reliance on costly private contractors, improve service delivery turnaround times and address deteriorating services. Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya and MMC for Corporate and Shared Services, Kholofelo Morodi, officially received the fleet of new cherry pickers and oversaw the reopening of the Pretorius Park fleet workshop in the east of Pretoria. Approval of Embedded Generation and Energy Wheeling Policies-a bog step on the City's energy transition Media Statement @CityTshwane @kholofeloMorodi @nasiphim — MMC Frans Boshielo (@MMCBoshielo) June 2, 2025 According to Morodi, this forms part of his administration's broader strategy to reduce dependence on private contractors and rebuild the city's internal technical and operational capacity. 'The acquisition of municipal-owned cherry pickers is aimed at enabling city departments to carry out critical maintenance and repairs directly, without the delays and excessive costs associated with outsourcing,' she said. Morodi said for years, basic services in Tshwane were handed over to external contractors, often at enormous expense to ratepayers. 'During this period, internal departments were left without the tools, personnel or infrastructure to respond effectively to community needs,' she explained. 'The result was slower turnaround times, poor accountability, and deteriorating service delivery.' Morodi explained the importance of reopening the Pretorius Park depot. 'The reopening of the Pretorius Park depot gives the city an operational hub to manage its growing fleet, ensuring quicker response times, better control over resources, and improved transparency in the use of public funds,' she said. 'The workshop was closed due to outsourcing of workshop services. The reopening of this facility will enable the metro to enhance fleet management capabilities, reduce downtime, and improve overall efficiency using its own internal staff,' she added. According to Morodi, the workshop will focus on vehicles for water and sanitation, energy and electricity, thereby reducing the turnaround time for repairs of vehicles servicing these critical departments. 'The handover of cherry pickers and the revival of the fleet workshop reflect a shift in focus: away from private interests and toward public value. These developments form part of a wider effort to fix the fundamentals of service delivery – getting resources to the ground where they are most needed and ensuring communities receive reliable, dignified services.' We had promised residents that we build in-house capability and reduce reliance on contractors. Today's launch also included the re-opening of the City of Tshwane's Pretorius Park Workshop Depot. This workshop was closed for over 6 years as the City relied on contractors and… — Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) June 3, 2025 Moya said the unveiled cherry pickers will be distributed to regional teams to enhance service delivery. 'This first batch of 14 vehicles forms part 100 that we expect in this financial year,' she said. She said for years, the Tshwane workforce has grappled with a shortage of tools to do its work. This is a turning point in providing reliable services to our residents. 'We have over 18 000 officials in Tshwane. They were all complaining about tools of trade, so we are on the right step of providing them with tools to do their work. 'We had promised residents we would build in-house capability and reduce reliance on contractors,' she said. The Pretorius Park Workshop Depot was closed for over six years as the city relied on contractors and further located depots to service vehicles. Moya said some other equipment and trade tools will be unveiled this financial year. Just rode in one of our brand-new cherrypickers at the Pretorius Park Depot. This isn't just a vehicle — it's a symbol of Tshwane valuing our workers as well, which is why these trucks have a crew cab. We're rebuilding capacity, cutting waste, and delivering for our people.… — Kholofelo Morodi (@kholofeloMorodi) June 3, 2025 Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
28-05-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Centurion power supply fully restored after gruelling repairs, says metro
Power supply has been restored to all parts of Centurion previously affected by the explosion at the Zwartkop Substation on May 20, according to Tshwane metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo. The incident involved the explosion of Transformer 1A at the substation, which resulted in widespread outages across multiple areas, with some residents enduring more than a week without electricity. Mashigo said the restoration comes after a gruelling eight-day repair process. Zwartkop Substation fully operational. — City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) May 28, 2025 'The city's energy and electricity technicians worked around the clock through a strenuous cable installation and connection process,' he said. He stated that once that process was complete, the team had to undertake the complex task of modifying the Cable End Box, which serves as the connection point between the cables and the main transformer. 'This task was complicated by the fact that the end box's original components were manufactured in 1972. 'Some of the parts had to be imported from other countries to complete the modification,' said Mashigo. He encouraged any residents who may still be without power to report the issue through the city's normal complaint logging channels. Mashigo expressed appreciation for the patience, co-operation and understanding shown by affected residents during the extended outage and apologised for the inconvenience caused. Before the full restoration, the metro had already managed to restore electricity to some areas. On May 21, MMC for Utility Services Frans Boshielo explained that the explosion had also tripped the Lyttelton Line 1 at Njala, affecting electricity supply to parts of the network served by the Wingate, Aries, and De Hoewes substations. At the time, he stated that technicians were able to stabilise those lines and successfully restore supply to the affected zones. However, other areas, including Zwartkop, Valhalla, Clubview, parts of Claudius, the military base in Thaba Tshwane, and the Zwartkop Airbase, remained without electricity. Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
07-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Tshwane mayor faces outrage for Weskoppies Hospital power cut
Mayor Nasiphi Moya sparks backlash after boasting online about cutting power to Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital over unpaid bills. The entrance of Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital on May 26, 2014 in Pretoria, South Africa. Picture: Gallo Images/Herman Verwey City of Tshwane mayor Nasiphi Moya has received backlash after bragging on X about cutting power to Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital as part of the Tshwane Ya Tima drive to collect outstanding debt. Moya said Weskoppies' power would be restored following Gauteng's health commitment to settle the overdue account. On Monday, the council disconnected electricity supply to Weskoppies hospital due to the Gauteng department of health's failure to settle R1.2 million in overdue electricity charges for March and April. Moya 'brags' about cutting Weskoppies Hospital's power The fourth stop for Tshwane Ya Tima is in the CBD. This facility owes the City of Tshwane R1 million. We've switched them off. We encourage all customers who have outstanding bills with the city to settle them. @CityTshwane — Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) May 5, 2025 'This was not a decision taken lightly,' said Moya. 'We are sensitive to the critical role that hospitals play and deeply respect the work of health care 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.' ALSO READ: Tshwane mayor under fire for downplaying pothole crisis Moya added: 'I want to assure residents that the hospital's backup power systems remained fully operational during the disconnection and patient care was not compromised. I would not have allowed the disconnection if it had left the facility without power and the subsequent impact on patient care.' Gauteng department of health spokesperson Motalatale Modiba said Weskoppies hospital remained fully operational and patient care continued uninterrupted while the electricity supply was being reconnected. '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 underway at the time the municipality effected credit control measures,' he said. R1.2m owed to Tshwane Modiba attributed the delay in payment to transition to the new financial year. DA Gauteng shadow health MEC Jack Bloom said this year there was a power disruption for several weeks because of power cable problems. ALSO READ: Water outages expected in Tshwane as plant shuts down: Here are the affected areas 'Nurses had to use cellphone lights to dispense medicine to patients, who were sometimes violent. The latest power cut at the hospital should have been avoided by mature engagement between the department and the council, instead of patients yet again being victims of inefficiency,' he said. Bloom said they claimed that generators and solar power would enable patient care to continue while the electricity supply was reconnected. uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Gauteng provincial spokesperson Abel Tau condemned the mayor's inhumane public relations stunt and dismal politicking. 'Inhumane PR stunt' – MK Gauteng 'While the hospital is reportedly in arrears with the city, it is unacceptable for patients to suffer due to the Gauteng department of health's administrative failures. The ones most affected are the most vulnerable in our society, mentally ill patients and the medical staff who have to work under compromised conditions,' he said. Political analyst Piet Croucamp said cutting Weskoppies' power was one thing, but bragging about it was another. ALSO READ: Tshwane under pressure as residents complain about water outages, power and potholes 'It was an indication of someone who is out of touch with the realities of the world she lives in. I am sure the hospital, besides the inability to pay their rates and taxes, might have other financial pressures as well,' he said. ActionSA national chair Michael Beaumont said: 'ActionSA notes the public response to these images, but suggests that the anger has been misdirected to the city. Anger at this issue should be directed to the Gauteng provincial department of health, whose inability to pay a budgeted, recurring monthly municipal bill has jeopardised patient care.' Senior political lecturer at North-West University Dr Benjamin Rapanyane said there would never be justification to cut electricity to a hospital.
The Citizen
30-04-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Tshwane cleans up cemeteries after public outcry
Despite the absence of a contractor to maintain cemeteries, the Tshwane metro has made significant strides in cleaning and cutting grass at cemeteries across Centurion, using its internal workforce to address long-standing concerns raised by the community. Spokesperson Lindela Mashigo confirmed that although the tender for general cemetery maintenance is still pending, internal capacity is currently being used to carry out this essential work. 'Tender for general maintenance of cemeteries has not been secured, and currently, the city is using internal capacity for general maintenance of cemeteries,' he said. He noted that all cemeteries in Region 4, which includes Centurion, were maintained in April and that grass-cutting is ongoing. 'Grass cutting is continuing as and when required.' Region 4: Grass cutting at Centurion, Laudium, and Olievenhoutbosch cemeteries.#ReASpana #TshwaneAtWork — Obakeng COT MMC Environmental Agriculture . (@RamaboduObakeng) March 12, 2025 Mashigo said that the metro plans to maintain these cemeteries monthly going forward, with priority given to those most in need. He emphasised that there has been no illegal dumping or theft at Region 4 cemeteries in recent weeks. For some residents, these efforts have not gone unnoticed. Tshepo Nkadimeng, a resident of Olievenhoutbosch, expressed his satisfaction with the current state of the cemetery in his area. Clean-up operation of cemeteries is underway across the city. Some progress work at Olievenhoutbosch Cemetery, in Region 4. @CityTshwane — Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) April 16, 2025 Keeping our cemeteries clean reflects respect for our loved ones. 🌱 Region 4 teams are hard at work cutting grass in Centurion and Olievenhoutbosch cemeteries, ensuring serene and dignified resting place#CommunityCare #RespectOurCemeteries #ReASpana @CityTshwane — Kholofelo Morodi (@kholofeloMorodi) March 7, 2025 'I honestly have to give credit where it's due. For the first time in a long time, I visited the cemetery last weekend and was pleased to see that the grass had been cut properly. 'It makes such a big difference,' he said. Nkadimeng stated that the cemetery feels peaceful and respectable again. 'In the past, we were used to seeing knee-high grass and having to clear the area around our family members' graves ourselves. This time, I didn't even need to bring a weed cutter or broom – everything was already in order,' he said. Nkadimeng added that the improved condition of the cemetery has made it easier for families to mourn without distraction. 'It shows that someone is paying attention. We are now more comfortable going to visit graves, and that's how it should be.' He noted that cemeteries aren't just open land, as they hold deep emotional value for all of those whose loved ones are laid there. Nkadimeng said he hopes that this level of care continues because it restores dignity to the cemetery. Early in January, frustrated residents raised complaints to call the attention of the metro to poor cemetery maintenance in Centurion. At the time, families were concerned about the overgrown grass, illegal dumping, and even safety risks due to criminal activity. Resident Sarah Botha, whose mother is buried at the Centurion cemetery, said she was uneasy there. 'I feel scared to visit my mother's grave. The tall grass makes it look abandoned. I've also heard stories about people being robbed there, and it's terrifying to think that I could be a target while I'm just trying to mourn,' she said at the time. Another resident, Thabo Nkosi, said it was heartbreaking to see the condition of the cemetery while his loved ones lay there. 'This is a sacred place for us, and seeing the cemetery in this state is scary,' he said. 'I want to honour my father's memory, but it's hard to do that in such a neglected environment.' Elderly widow Jane van der Merwe highlighted the issue of accessibility. She said she has had to bring her tools to clean her husband's grave. 'It's not just about the grass being long; it's about being able to pay my respects properly. The lack of maintenance is truly disheartening.' ALSO READ: Residents encouraged to get vaccine ahead of flu season Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
24-04-2025
- General
- The Citizen
Emergency power supply shutdown affecting these parts now
An emergency shutdown of the 132kV Njala Line 1 was implemented on Thursday to prevent further substation damage, disrupting power to several Pretoria East areas — here are the areas affected. The City of Tshwane's Energy and Electricity Department said it was compelled to conduct an emergency supply shutdown to the 132kV Njala Line 1 on Thursday to manage the risk and prevent further damage to the substation. 'This essential work includes repairs to the line isolators, which were affected by last night's power failure. 'The shutdown, which was carried out at 13h today, will affect most parts of Pretoria East and some areas which are supplied by the substations linked to the Njala Line 1.' ‼️Emergency power supply shutdown affecting most parts of Pretoria East‼️ — City of Tshwane (@CityTshwane) April 24, 2025 Below are the affected substations and some of the areas they supply: Wapadrand (Faerie GLen, Equestria, Sheree) Mamelodi 1, 2, and 2 Waltloo 1 ( Eersterust, Eastlynne, Silverton) Willow (Wilgers) Highlands Villieria Lynnwood De Hoewes ( Lyttleton, Centurion CBD, Unitas, Kloofsig) Aries (Waterkloof) Wingate (Moreleta Park, Elardus Park, Monument Park) 'Weather permitting, the repairs will be completed by this evening. The City apologises for the inconvenience caused by this unplanned shutdown.' Also read: Feline Parvo outbreak in Pretoria – here is what you should know Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to bennittb@ or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
