Police station and Home Affairs disconnected for owing millions

A police station and the Department of Home Affairs are among a string of institutions that were disconnected services for owing millions to the municipality in Pietermaritzburg.

TROUBLED POLICE STATION SUFFERS A DISCONNECTION OF SERVICES

Msunduzi Municipality in the capital of KwaZulu-Natal embarked on a disconnection drive during which several buildings owing outstanding amounts were cut off.

In a bid to recover the outstanding revenue, the City targeted a number of institutions including a police station and Home Affairs.

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Plessislaer Police Station, one of the worst ranked stations in the province, was disconnected by the municipality today, 5 September for owing over R3 Million.

Last Friday, the municipality disconnected a government department owing more than R600 000 on rates. Also, the illegal connection to electricity was disconnected. The department was also accused of infringing on the municipality bylaws for having accessed the meter.

HOME AFFAIRS DISCONNECTED AFTER RECONNECTING ILLEGALLY

Coincidentally, Msunduzi municipality reported that the Home Affairs, which they disconnected on Friday, was found to have illegally reconnected, with a 11kv switch gear supplying the building locked. However, cables supplying the electricity to the transformer were disconnected.

The police station and Home Affairs weren’t the only focus as the City also targeted a school and private businesses.

A warehouse in Berg Street and a firm in Mkhondeni, owing the City over R1.3 million were cut-off.

Raisethorpe Secondary School, in the northern suburbs, was also disconnected for owing the Municipality over R2 Million. However, this move was met with backlash from the community as this disconnection would impact teaching and learning at the school.

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Here’s what a few people had to say about this matter:

Feroza Butler said: “Why disconnect a GOVERNMENT school? Honestly, do you think we are going to applaud you for this nonsense? Any school should not be disconnected!”

“Water and lights disconnected at Raisethorpe Secondary school despite the school NOT being in arrears for these services.
It is abhorrent that the municipality feels a sense of pride not just shutting off water and electricity but also disrupting the academic programme at school.”

Sharmaine Prammoney

Amar Rampersad said: “Let’s put things into perspective. Firstly, Raisethorpe Secondary’s monthly electricity, water bill and other services, have been religiously paid every month and is not even in 30 days arrears. The over R2m owing is for rates, which the school is not responsible for, as it is a public school. The pictures taken to flash the ‘great’ work being done by the municipality are characteristic of their micromanagement style that has brought this once beautiful city to its knees”.