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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
“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.”
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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.
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“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.
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“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.
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