THE City of Tshwane has once more took strict measures to get the attention of its debtors.
It cut off water and power supply to Hatfield’s Gautrain station on Monday, 14 February claiming that it owed almost R10 million in unpaid services.
According to Gautrain spokeswoman Kesagee Nayager, the city cutting off electricity supply to the station was questionable.
“The Hatfield Gautrain station has a prepaid electricity metre and the account is not only up to date but is in fact in credit to the value of almost R120 000 and the water account is similarly, up to date. We have been trying without success to contact the city to provide proof of the debt it claims it is owed. The city’s divisional head for revenue management shared a screengrab with us that reflects an account number that differs to the account number reflected on the notice to terminate services. The city has therefore illegally cut off services to the station.
Based on information shared with staff at the station on 15 February, it appears the screengrab sent to us on 14 February may relate to rates and taxes. The properties upon which Gautrain stations are built have been acquired by the Gauteng Provincial Government as a public transport project and in terms of Section 11 of the Gauteng Transport Infrastructure Act of 2001. The Gauteng Provincial Government proclaimed the necessary land rights to build and operate the Gautrain railway line over this property and therefore constitutes public transport infrastructure for the purposes of rates and taxes,” said Nayager.
Meanwhile, SARS said in a statement that it has noted the decision of the City of Tshwane to disconnect the utility services at SARS office in Ashlea Gardens, Pretoria.
“We wish to put it on record that the building occupied by the organisation does not belong to SARS. It is a leased property and to date, all services have been paid for, in full and on time. We sincerely apologise to taxpayers for the inconvenience that this may have caused. We will engage with the owners of the property, with the view to have this matter attended to as a matter of urgency,” said SARS.
It also said that in the meantime the office is using a generator and remains operational.
“Services to taxpayers are continuing uninterruptedly,” it said.
The City of Tshwane also said it has cut off power supply to SAPS headquarters.
