In a move that has incited significant backlash, Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya faces criticism for cutting power to Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital due to unpaid electricity bills totaling R1.2 million.
This decision has drawn harsh rebuke from both political allies and opposition groups, sparking a heated discussion regarding governance, responsibility, and the ethical limits of municipal credit management.
Although electricity was restored shortly after a resolution was reached between the Gauteng Department of Health and the City, the brief power outage left residents, staff, and political figures in disbelief.
As the situation develops, it raises important questions about whether essential institutions should ever be subject to disconnection.
The Immediate Consequences: Political Divisions Emerge
While the City of Tshwane stood by its actions as a necessary measure, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF), a crucial player in the ruling coalition, quickly distanced themselves from the decision.
In a televised interview, EFF caucus chief whip Godwin Ratiwane declared that the party would not accept collective accountability for decisions they were not involved in.
“We will not be painted with the same brush,” Ratiwane stressed. “Such decisions need careful thought and consideration, particularly when they impact vital public services.”
Crucially, the EFF has asserted that key service institutions like hospitals should be exempt from disconnection.
They also contended that Weskoppies, which caters to some of society’s most vulnerable patients, must never have its power cut, regardless of delays in payment processing.
Healthcare at Risk: Patient Care Affected
Despite the gravity of the situation, officials from the Gauteng Department of Health confirmed that backup plans were in place to ensure ongoing healthcare delivery during the power outage.
Spokesperson Motaletale Modiba stated that patient services proceeded normally, supported by five backup generators and a solar energy system.
“Patient care was not compromised,” Modiba clarified. “Our backup systems were operational, and we acted quickly to maintain continued service.”
However, not everyone was convinced. Medical personnel reportedly faced difficult working conditions during the outage, a concern raised by the uMkhonto Wesizwe Party. Gauteng spokesperson Abel Tau discredits the mayor’s decision, labeling it as a form of opportunistic politics.
“Mentally ill patients and the committed professionals caring for them were the most affected,” Tau remarked. “This should have never occurred.”
A Justifiable Action or a Bureaucratic Error
According to Mayor Moya, the City did not act irresponsibly. She explained that the administration had previously postponed the disconnection in good faith, relying on the Department of Health’s assurance of timely payment in early April after their financial year concluded in March.
After multiple follow-ups with no payment, the City had no choice,” Moya explained. “The decision to disconnect electricity supply was not taken lightly.
Hospitals play a vital role, and we respect their importance, but our credit control policy must apply to everyone, including government departments.”
Moya’s statement aimed to balance the need for financial discipline with compassion. She emphasized that the hospital’s backup systems had worked effectively, and that the disconnection was carried out in a way that minimized patient risk.
Nevertheless, critics argue that applying blanket financial rules to health institutions reflects poor judgment rather than responsible governance.
While financial accountability is vital, many believe the act of cutting power to a psychiatric hospital should be a last resort if considered at all.
Expert Editorial Comment
In conclusion, the cutting power incident at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital has revealed deep fractures in both governance and public policy execution.
While the City of Tshwane acted within its rights, the backlash from coalition partners, healthcare advocates, and citizens suggests that legal authority does not always align with moral responsibility.
Mayor Moya’s attempt to enforce financial discipline has instead sparked a city-wide debate on compassion, leadership, and political accountability.
In times of crisis, the true measure of governance lies not just in following rules but in exercising judgment that prioritizes humanity.
If anything, this episode serves as a call to re-evaluate how municipalities handle unpaid bills from essential institutions.
With lives on the line, especially in healthcare settings, a more empathetic and structured response may be the only way forward.
