Latest news with #TshwaneYaTima
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- The Citizen
Metro removes occupants from condemned building
The Tshwane metro, led by Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya, recently evicted occupants of a Pretoria West building marked for demolition. In March, the metro obtained a court order to demolish illegally constructed buildings on Stand 1313 and Stand 1312, located at 510 and 514 Luttig Street, Pretoria West. The Pretoria High Court received an appeal from George Asaba and GABSA Consolidated Prop (Pty) Ltd to stop the order from being carried out, but the appeal was struck off the roll in the High Court on April 3. The structures built violated the National Building Regulations and Building Standards. While conducting a Tshwane Ya Tima drive in parts of the CBD and Pretoria West, the mayor stopped by the condemned property to remove any occupants or property still left at the site. They stopped the Tshwane Ya Tima operation temporarily to support the officers enforcing the court order. 'Something good happened in our pursuit of law and order in our city. We have obtained a court order that has allowed us to demolish the structure. Both of these yards have erected all of this illegally. There are no approved plans, so we approached the court and the court granted us the order,' Moya said. Moya said the city has been fighting for three years in court while owners kept expanding their building, and described the order being granted as a victory for Tshwane. 'These private people who erect these [buildings] and rent them out don't want to take the responsibility for those people who then rent from them. It's quite sad to see such because it shows people want to put money over people's rights,' she said. 'We have removed the people who are staying here because, more than anything, these buildings are not safe. We can say we're not going to evict people, but what if something happens to them? We've seen these cases in Tshwane, and we've seen them in Joburg. She said they were going to demolish the structure. 'When you look at it, you can see no thought went into the fact that this is a space that should be suitable for human beings. The toilets are connected to the kitchen and all sorts of things. Moya said there was going to be law and order in Tshwane and that they are going to target 'these buildings with no control or order'. 'Pretoria West is notorious for these,' Moya said. The Tshwane metro has also impounded several vehicles that were found inside this yard. 'The landlords of these illegal buildings take advantage of the fact that the people who are desperate for housing are usually foreigners, a factor found to be at play in this instance,' said the mayor. Other stops during the Ya Tima drive included the Bothongo Plaza, which was the second switch-off operation done at that location. The owners have defaulted and owe the city more than R1.17-million. A building on Francis Baard Street in the CBD was shut off after owing R466 956. This building leases space to various businesses, including a government department. The third property was in Sunnyside, which owes the city R3-million. The fourth stop was in Pretoria West at the Ebbul Foods factory, which owes R445 382. Tshwane Ya Tima also disconnected Daimler Trucks and Buses Southern Africa. The company owes R608 313. The final stop was at Delta Prop Fund, which made good on its promise to immediately pay its outstanding debt of R492 211. Residents and businesses are urged to settle their municipal accounts as soon as possible to avoid disconnection. Watch here: 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!
IOL News
07-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
‘Illegal and inhumane': Foundation slams Tshwane for cutting power to Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital
City of Tshwane's power disconnection raises ethical concerns for Weskoppies Hospital Image: Oupa Mokoena The Edgar Legoale Foundation has issued a strong call for immediate intervention following a controversial decision by the City of Tshwane to disconnect power to Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital on May 5, 2025. The move, part of the city's 'Tshwane Ya Tima' campaign aimed at recovering unpaid municipal bills, has sparked outrage and concern over the safety and dignity of vulnerable patients and staff. The disconnection was initiated after the hospital, which owes approximately R1 million in unpaid electricity bills, was targeted by the city's campaign to settle municipal debts. However, the situation is more complex than a simple unpaid bill. According to reports, the disconnection occurred despite ongoing efforts by the Gauteng Department of Health to process the payment. The hospital's debt was not recent, and the actions taken have raised questions about the appropriateness of cutting off essential services to such a critical facility. In a statement issued by Nthabiseng Molejane, Foundation Manager and official spokesperson, the Edgar Legoale Foundation expressed deep concern over the city's decision. 'This action is not only wrong but also against the law,' Molejane said. 'A High Court order from 2023 explicitly states that public hospitals must not lose power because it endangers lives. Cutting electricity to Weskoppies Hospital violates this ruling and undermines patients' rights to health, dignity, and life, as protected by our Constitution. "The hospital had to rely on backup generators to maintain power, which is a temporary measure that is neither safe nor sustainable, particularly for a psychiatric facility caring for some of the most vulnerable members of society,' she said. Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya publicly announced the disconnection on social media, asserting that no institution was exempt from the city's efforts to recover debts. However, the Gauteng Health Department reconnected the electricity yesterday. However, the foundation argued that treating a hospital like any other debtor is both unfair and dangerous. 'Patients at Weskoppies are often unable to advocate for themselves,' said Molejane. 'The stress and chaos caused by losing power could worsen their conditions and place staff under immense pressure.' In response to the incident, the Edgar Legoale Foundation has written to the Public Protector, requesting an urgent investigation into the matter. The foundation's demands include: An official apology to the hospital, its staff, and patients. Reimbursement of any additional costs incurred, such as generator fuel. A revision of the 'Tshwane Ya Tima' campaign rules to explicitly prohibit power cuts to hospitals and other essential services. Holding Mayor Moya and responsible officials accountable for this breach of law and ethics. The foundation also urged the Public Protector to instruct all municipalities across South Africa to adhere strictly to legal protections for essential services. 'This must never happen again, our hospitals, schools, and clinics are vital to our communities and must be protected at all costs.'
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.
IOL News
06-05-2025
- Health
- IOL News
ActionSA supports Mayor Moya's intervention on Weskoppies Psychiatric Facility power disconnection
ActionSA rallies behind Tshwane Mayor over Weskoppies Hospital power cut Image: IOL/Independent newspapers ActionSA expressed its support for the intervention and clarification provided by Tshwane Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya regarding the disconnection of the Weskoppies Psychiatric Facility in Pretoria. The power disconnection, which occurred due to long-overdue non-payment for services, has sparked public debate and concern over the impact on patient care. The incident unfolded on Monday when the City of Tshwane officials disconnected the power supply to Weskoppies Hospital, a vital public psychiatric facility, over an outstanding debt of R1 million. This move was part of the City's ongoing Tshwane Ya Tima campaign, aimed at addressing the persistent issue of non-paying customers and improving revenue collection. Mayor Moya assured the public that the hospital's backup power supply was operational and that patient care was unaffected by the disconnection. She emphasised that 'disconnection would not have been affected if it negatively impacted patient care,' highlighting the city's commitment to prioritising health and safety. In a statement issued on Tuesday, ActionSA acknowledged the frustration expressed by the public but cautioned against misdirected anger. The party pointed out that the root cause of the financial crisis at Weskoppies and other public institutions lies with higher levels of government, specifically the Gauteng Provincial Department of Health, which has failed to pay its municipal bills consistently. 'The truth is that national and provincial government departments are the greatest debtors of the City of Tshwane, owing more than R1.5 billion in unpaid municipal accounts,' ActionSA noted. 'In the past, these accounts have been treated with kid gloves, while residents have been mercilessly disconnected. We fully support the City's more aggressive approach to address this injustice.' The party also highlighted the progress made under Mayor Moya's leadership. ActionSA stated that since taking office in the Tshwane Council, the multi-party coalition government has begun turning around the city's financial health. It added that Tshwane's finances have improved sufficiently for credit agencies to upgrade the city's outlook, and the municipality has tabled its first fully funded budget since 2022. 'Recent public opinion polls reflect a decline in dissatisfaction levels, with Tshwane now ranking as having the second-lowest dissatisfaction rate nationally. 'Tshwane's ability to recover from inherited financial crises—such as R7 billion in ESKOM debt, economic instability, and service delivery failures—depends largely on its capacity to collect revenue,' ActionSA stated.
The Citizen
06-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Mixed reactions as Tshwane cuts off power to Weskoppies over debt
The Tshwane Metro, led by Mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya, recently disconnected municipal services to several locations at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital during a recent Tshwane Ya Tima drive. The Tshwane Ya Tima revenue collection campaign seeks to disconnect services to defaulting clients who run up high service bills and then fail to pay the city. During the drive on May 5, electricity was switched off to Weskoppies due to owing R1.2-million for non-payment over the past two months. The move has garnered mixed reactions from the public, who believe that this was a step too far, and cutting power to mentally-ill patients is a decision that should have been avoided. Moya, however, remained adamant that government institutions that fail to honour their debts with the metro can expect a visit from them any day. 'The fourth stop for Tshwane Ya Tima is in the CBD. This facility (referring to Weskoppies) 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,' said Moya via her social media. The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has since released a statement claiming that the money owed to the city was being processed at the time the Ya Tima team paid Weskoppies a visit. 'The processing of the R1.2-million owed to the City of Tshwane for March and April electricity consumption was already underway at the time the municipality effected credit control and disconnected Weskoppies Hospital on Monday. The delay in payment is attributed to the transition to the new financial year. The hospital normally makes additional payments to ensure a continuous electricity supply; however, this time around, it could not do so. The owed amount is currently being processed for payment,' the statement read. The GDoH processed R3.8-million to the city concerning other facilities in Tshwane, and that the money was already scheduled for payment on May 5 as part of the payment run to various service providers, the statement continued. The GDoH said it's continuing to engage with the metro and that backup power supplies from five generators and solar panels are keeping Weskoppies up and running, and patient care can continue uninterrupted. As previously mentioned, the move to disconnect the facility has come under fire from many who claim the act was inhumane, one of those parties being MK. Through a released statement, the MKP (uMkhonto weSizwe Party-Medics) have condemned the mayor and the metro's actions against the facility. MKP said the metro should punish the ones who owe them and not the vulnerable who don't. 'MKP Medics stands firmly against the inhumane disconnection of electricity at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital. Patients' lives and dignity must be protected. We demand accountability from those responsible –not punishment of the vulnerable,' the statement read. Various other private and public institutions also received visits from the metro for outstanding debt collection. 'It's important that residents are aware that when Tshwane Ya Tima reaches your doors, it follows extensive consultation by our finance department. We don't just switch off without due process. We have switched off private businesses, we have switched off households, and we have switched off public buildings as well. We are very consistent, and we do not have people who we do not switch off in this campaign,' Moya said. 'It's quite important that we must raise revenue; the services you are complaining about will not be able to be delivered if we do not collect revenue. So we do this so that businesses and government must know that they have a responsibility to pay for our services,' Moya said. Watch here: Our last stop for the day was at King Pie located in the CBD. This business owes the city R868,000. We have switched them off. It's important that residents must be aware that when Tshwane Ya Tima reaches your doors, it follows extensive consultation by our finance department. We… — Dr Nasiphi Moya (@nasiphim) May 5, 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 or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
