Tshwane mayor, Correctional Services clash over failed power cut at Kgosi Mampuru II prison

By Thapelo Molefe

A public spat has erupted between the City of Tshwane and the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) after a failed attempt by municipal officials to disconnect electricity at Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre, with both sides trading sharply different versions of events.

The confrontation follows a social media post by Tshwane Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya earlier on Friday, in which she announced that city officials were at the Pretoria correctional facility as part of the municipality’s revenue collection drive, #TshwaneYaTima.

“We are at Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Facility for #TshwaneYaTima. The prison owes the city close to R8 million for utilities,” Moya posted.

Hours later, the Department of Correctional Services issued a strongly worded statement accusing the city of attempting to disconnect electricity based on an incorrect account statement and of failing to verify facts before taking action at a critical national facility.

DCS said city officials arrived