The Gauteng Health Department owes R421m to municipalities for electricity, with R387.5m owed to Johannesburg alone – due, according to Health & Wellness MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko, to late invoice submissions and incorrect billing disputes.
The details were in a written reply to DA Health Shadow MEC Jack Bloom’s questions in the Gauteng legislature this week, reports News24.
Bloom said the MEC claimed most of the (R429.5m) debt was for less than 90 days, but R1 655 000 had been owed for three to 12 months, and R243 000 had been owed for more than a year.
The amounts owed include: City of Tshwane – R14.5m; Eskom – R10.2m; Mogale City – R5.4m; Ekurhuleni – R2.4m; Lesedi – R744 000; Merafong City – R355 000, and Rand West City – R326 000.
Apparently, Mogale City has suspended electricity at some district facilities due to non-payment and billing disputes, which had affected a number of health services, and Bloom said Tshwane had also cut off services because of non-payment. However, the department denied this.
According to the department, Charlotte Maxeke hospital owes R329.6m, Chris Hani Baragwanath hospital owes R19.3m, Rahima Moosa Hospital owes R15.4m and Helen Joseph R10.6m, among many others.
The MEC said there had been discussions with municipalities and Eskom to submit their correct bills on time, and there were weekly meetings with Eskom and follow-ups with some municipalities.
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