Pretoria – The row between the City of Tshwane and the Department of Correctional Services, over attempts to cut electricity at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre for non-payment, has deepened.
Last week, on Friday, 23 January 2026, the Department of Correctional Services said, “it was once again perplexed by the conduct of the City of Tshwane following an attempted electricity disconnection at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre, which was based on an incorrect account statement”.
The department added: “It is not only disturbing but deeply humiliating that the Executive Mayor of the City of Tshwane once again chose to make public pronouncements via social media, alleging that electricity would be disconnected at a correctional facility, without ensuring that the facts were verified.
“City officials arrived at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre armed with an incorrect account statement and were subsequently embarrassed when the error was identified and pointed out to them by Correctional Services managers.”
However, on Sunday, 25 January 2026, the City of Tshwane said: “Its records indicate that the accounts remain in significant arrears following a prolonged period of non-payment”.
In a statement made available to The Bulrushes, the City of Tshwane said it noted the public statement issued by the Department of Correctional Services regarding its intended electricity disconnection at the Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre.
“The city wishes to clarify that at the time city officials visited the Kgosi Mampuru and Baviaanspoort Correctional facilities, the facilities’ municipal accounts were in arrears,” the statement said.
“The city stands by this position.”
The City insists that its records indicate that the department’s accounts remain in significant arrears following a prolonged period of non-payment.
“The arrears are reflected on the city’s billing system and formed the basis for the site visits,” the statement said.
“During these engagements, officials from the Department of Correctional Services did not point out any errors in the city’s account statements.
“Instead, they indicated that they were not aware of the full scope of the outstanding amounts on the accounts and undertook to engage the Department of Public Works to address the matter.
“In recognition of this, and given the nature of the facilities involved, the city exercised discretion and allowed additional time for the issue to be resolved through the appropriate national department.”
The City said the department was given until Monday to respond with a payment update.
The City was on an ongoing drive to recover money owed for services rendered.
Even the police have not been spared.
The City recently disconnected electricity supplies to the SA Police Service College over arrears of R3.8 million.
