UPDATE | Mpumalanga Department of Public Works owes City of Mbombela R13m
The City of Mbombela (CoM) recently cut off electricity supply to the Mpumalanga Government Complex and Rob Ferreira Hospital in an effort to recuperate some of the millions the Department of Public Works owes it.
The Department of Public Works, Roads and Transport (DPWRT) admitted that its electricity supply to certain provincial government properties in the City of Mbombela (CoM) were recently cut off due to outstanding rates and taxes.
However, the department’s spokesperson, Bongani Dhlamini, dismissed the DA’s allegations that the department owes more than R5b to various municipalities, including the CoM. “That amount is totally incorrect. The department acknowledges the outstanding debt for rates and taxes for the 2024/25 financial year, amounting to R113m. The DPWRT has, however, paid an amount of R61m of that amount to the CoM during the current financial year,” he said.
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Dhlamini added that they were committed to settle the outstanding debt and are working hard to address this issue, not only with the CoM, but with other municipalities as well. “The department acknowledges the public’s concern regarding this matter and assures them that all necessary steps will be taken to resolve the issue and prevent further disruptions in future,” he said.
Rob Ferreira Hospital and the Mpumalanga Government Complex were without electricity for more than 12 hours when the CoM had cut off the electricity supply to these facilities on February 5. It was restored at about 22:20 that night.
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Teboho Sekaledi, a DA member in the Mpumalanga Legislature, insists the DPWRT owes the CoM R5b in rates and taxes. “It is also alleged that the department had not been paying for these rates and taxes since June 2024, which led the municipality to finally switch off the electricity supply to the Government Complex and the Rob Ferreira Hospital.”
The CoM’s spokesperson, Joseph Ngala, confirmed the electricity was cut off at the above government properties due to their municipal debt. He also confirmed that they are in consultation with the DPWRT regarding payment. However, he said he was not allowed to disclose what exactly the amount is that the department owes the municipality.
