Johannesburg Disconnects Water at Leeuwkop Prison Over Debt

Water services at Leeuwkop Prison in northern Johannesburg were terminated due to an outstanding debt of R9.8 million owed to the City of Johannesburg.

On Friday, under the guidance of city manager Floyd Brink, an operation was executed to discontinue services for customers who were in default or had not settled their bills as reported by News 24.

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The scope of this operation encompassed businesses, affluent consumers, and government departments.

However, when city officials, accompanied by members of the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department, sought entry to the prison premises, they were met with refusal.

In an unfortunate turn, correctional officers even resorted to physically restraining a journalist attempting to capture photographs, citing a lack of authorisation.

Communication barriers emerged as prison officials directly corresponded with City authorities through a landline stationed within the guard house.

After a prolonged wait, a requisition order was dispatched to the City. Despite the order’s receipt, the City deemed it inadequate and insisted on evidence of payment.

Ultimately, water disconnection was effectuated by a determined city official who managed to gain access through an alternative entrance to the prison.

Johannesburg’s group chief financial officer, Tebogo Moraka, disclosed that the City’s collective outstanding debt stood at a staggering R47 billion.

Moraka conveyed:

Today marks the beginning of an enduring pursuit. We have initiated a vigorous campaign to recover the City’s dues. Our objective involves disconnecting individuals who are indebted to the City or who have yet to establish arrangements for settling their obligations. The funds recuperated are essential for the continued provision of services to our constituents.
In response, Singabakho Nxumalo, a spokesperson for Correctional Services, asserted that the prison facility had yet to receive invoices.

Nxumalo clarified:

The City presented a bill of R9.8 million, but the facility in question had already resolved this issue.

Earlier on the same day, the owner of FWG Properties CC, located in Stormill, Randburg, faced arrest due to his unauthorised reconnection of water services. This act followed the City’s disconnection of services in May, prompted by his unpaid R43,000 debt.

Brink disclosed that the business owed a substantial R6.4 million for water and electricity services. Notably, the last payment was made in December 2022.

In June, the business owner made an effort to rectify the situation by paying R12,000. However, his attempts to evade arrest were marked by his calls claiming that over 30 individuals were present at his establishment, threatening his arrest.

Subsequently, he engaged his legal counsel, who advised him to demand a warrant of arrest and asserted that his actions were justified since the electricity account was in dispute.

In his defence, the business owner lamented:

We have encountered dire financial repercussions due to load shedding. This predicament has severely impacted my business, preventing the operation of my factory.

Brink countered by highlighting that the business had been afforded numerous opportunities to resolve its outstanding accounts. He noted the City’s initiation of a level 1 water disconnection in May, an action precipitated by an accumulated debt surpassing R40,000. Despite this, the business owner reinstated the services, claiming to have settled R12,000.

In light of these incidents, Brink acknowledged the pervasive issues of theft and malicious damage to City property.

He asserted:

Our response will be to retrieve our meters and all infrastructure from this premises.

Furthermore, the City undertook a similar action by disconnecting electricity at an upscale establishment situated in Craighall, attributed to a debt totalling R3.7 million.

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Photo: Facebook / @Leeuwkop Prison.