By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
City of Tshwane executive mayor Nasiphi Moya directed that all services to the national Department of Basic Education (DBE) head office be restored.
The City disconnected the water and electricity at the national DBE head office in Pretoria over a R104-million debt owed by various public schools.
DBE Minister Siviwe Gwarube threatened legal action.
Gwarube refuted the action, noting the national DBE account was in good standing with a credit balance. Furthermore, the DBE clarified that individual public schools fall under the Gauteng Department of Education, not the national ministry.
The city acknowledged the disconnection was an error and ordered an immediate reconnection.
Moya said, “The action taken today was born out of frustration and desperation following the continued escalation of unpaid municipal debt owed by public schools within the City of Tshwane.”
“While the City fully respects the High Court judgment prohibiting the disconnection of schools, that judgment has left municipalities with very limited mechanisms to recover substantial amounts owed for municipal services already rendered.”
Moya added that while the administration of public schools rests with provincial education departments, the national Department of Basic Education cannot simply absolve itself of responsibility. As the department responsible for the country’s education system, it must ensure that schools within its sphere of oversight honour their financial obligations to municipalities.”
Meanwhile a forensic report has recommended disciplinary action against suspended Tshwane CFO Gareth Mnisi.
The report reveals Mnisi failed to declare his directorships in companies and did not disclose his relationship with a construction company involved in two municipal tenders.
The City’s Council is expected to decide whether to adopt or reject the report’s recommendations.
Tshwane has long struggled with financial management, irregular expenditure and service delivery challenges. Any proven tender manipulation would deepen public distrust and add to the city’s already heavy burden of debt and governance problems.