The Jack Hindon Clinic in Pretoria North, a healthcare facility under the Gauteng Department of Health, was forced to rely on a generator for weeks after the City of Tshwane disconnected its power supply due to unpaid municipal bills. 

The clinic’s generator cost R2,311,92 daily to run, consuming 104 litres of fuel, while the unpaid municipal bill stood at R46,701,55.

The crisis came to light after Gauteng Health MEC Nomantu Nkomo-Ralehoko disclosed details about the clinic’s unpaid municipal bills in written responses to DA MPL Bronwynn Englebrecht’s questions at the Gauteng Legislature.

Englebrecht had inquired about the escalating municipal account, reportedly reaching around R470,000 and wanted to know why the department had not intervened.

In response, Nkomo-Ralehoko said that according to the municipality’s final demand dated May 20, 2025, the outstanding amount was R46,701,55. 

However, she noted that the district office received formal notification of the disconnection on May 23, 2025. 

“Furthermore, based on the municipality’s official age analysis reports, which are submitted on a monthly basis, the outstanding balance as at that date was recorded as R69,882,24, inclusive of charges for the current billing cycle,” she said.

Englebrecht also asked what internal control failures allowed a critical healthcare facility to rack up such a huge debt without prompting an immediate response from the department.

Nkomo-Ralehoko said the department was never liable for such a large amount to Tshwane, adding that a payment of R17,498,58 was authorised to settle the March 2025 invoice balance.

Asked about the department’s contingency plan made for patients during the period of water and electricity disruptions, she said: “The back-up generator served as a mitigating contingency.”

She explained that the generator, operating eight hours a day, consumes diesel at a rate of 13 litres per hour. 

“At the total cost of 22.23 per litre, the daily fuel consumption amounts to 104 litres, resulting in a total daily operational cost of R2,311,92,” she said.

She also said she is investigating delays in payments of municipalities and other service providers.

Englebrecht said that during the power disconnection, healthcare workers had to scramble for alternative power and water sources to care for patients who faced delays and reduced access to essential healthcare services.

She announced that the DA in Gauteng will write to Premier Panyaza Lesufi, calling on him to instruct Nkomo-Ralehoko to settle the utility debt, or face consequences for failing to perform her duties.

She criticised the MEC’s response, saying she fails to understand the consequences of the department’s unpaid bills. 

According to her, Nkomo-Ralehoko downplays the crisis, treating it as an administrative issue, while ignoring the strain on overworked nurses and clinic staff.

Tshwane MMC of Health Tshegofatso Mashabela recently visited the clinic to evaluate its current state, focusing on the critical issues of water and electricity shortages.

She said the municipality was aware of the challenges at the clinic and their impact on service delivery and community well-being. 

She promised to engage with the department to urgently address the water and electricity concerns. 

Mashabela assured residents that their health and safety are top priorities and that the clinic will have the necessary resources to continue providing essential healthcare services.

rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za

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