Debt Collection Efforts Leaves Weskoppies Hospital in the Dark

(The Post News)– In a bid to boost municipal revenue, Tshwane Mayor Nasiphi Moya has launched a concerted effort to collect outstanding debts from businesses owing the city, including Weskoppies Hospital.

The Gauteng Department of Health’s substantial debt to the city was one of the driving forces behind the mayor’s revenue collection drive. Unfortunately, this initiative had unintended consequences, with Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital—an innocent entity providing essential services—being affected by the city’s actions. Additionally, despite the government confirming the debt and saying that payment processes are underway, the hospital’s lights were turned off on May 6, 2025.

The initiative taken by Mayor Moyo stemmed from Tshwane’s serious debt, including a staggering R29 billion owed by various businesses and individuals. Additionally, the city’s decision to cut off services to entities owing municipal debt has had a ripple effect, which also affected the Steve Biko Academic Hospital’s psychiatric unit.

Meanwhile, the Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) Tshwane caucus whip Godwin Ratikwane criticized the situation, calling for more effective approaches to resolving intergovernmental disputes.

Godwin Ratikwane emphasized that the party does not support this approach, stating that these are not the values of the EFF; especially with the provincial level of government, litigation or mediation may have been undertaken in place of the current strategy.