Gautrain slams Tshwane metro disconnecting station as ‘illegal’
“We are calling on the metro to urgently reconnect the water and electricity supply to Hatfield station.”
The Hatfield Gautrain station became the Tshwane metro’s latest target when its utility services were cut on Monday because it allegedly owed the metro R10-million.
On Monday and Tuesday, metro officials cut off both the Hatfield Gautrain station water and electricity supply “without any prior notice”, according to Gautrain Spokesperson Kesagee Nayager.
Nayager said the Hatfield Gautrain station, however, had a pre-paid electricity metre and was its account was up-to-date.
It was actually in credit to the value of around R120 000, she said. “The water account is, similarly, up to date.” She said they tried to contact the metro to discuss the matter – without any success.
“We have been trying to contact them to provide proof of the debt it claims it is owed.
“On Monday night, the metro’s divisional head for revenue management shared a screengrab with Gautrain management, which reflected an account number that differed from the account number reflected on the notice to terminate services.
“The City has, therefore, illegally cut off services to the station.”
Nayager said based on information shared with staff at the station on Tuesday morning, it appeared that the screengrab related to rates and taxes.
“The properties upon which Gautrain stations are built have been acquired by the Gauteng provincial government as a public transport project and in terms of section 11 of the Gauteng transport infrastructure act of 2001.”
“The Gauteng provincial government proclaimed the necessary land rights to build and operate the Gautrain railway line over this property and therefore constitutes public transport infrastructure for rates and taxes.
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“Given that the water and electricity accounts for the station are paid in full and are up to date, we are calling on the City to urgently reconnect the water and electricity supply to Hatfield station.”
Nayager said the metro should also “avail itself to meet so that we can obtain a full statement of account rather than a screengrab and have this matter settled as soon as possible”.
“In the meantime, Gautrain would be approaching the court to urgently interdict the City to restore services to the station given its wrongful termination of services to Hatfield station.”
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