By: Natasha Archary

The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has clarified the outstanding City Power electricity bills across several facilities, and addresses the threats of disconnection.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, 29 November the GDoH says there were various discrepancies with City Power’s billing for six facilities in the province.
This includes the 6 invoices that were attributed to Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, for which the total of R32 474 056.39 was paid from April to September.
GDoH says this amount was regarding the R40 million debt for Charlotte Maxeke Hospital, and an additional R4.9 million has been finalised for payment this week.
The last invoice, which is for the amount of R5.2 million, is according to the department currently being processed for a purchase order to be created before the payment is released.
However, the GDoH says that the issue of interest was raised with the City of Johannesburg (COJ) because the department is of the view that interest is being raised on invoices that have already been settled, leading to incorrect amounts being claimed.
“The Department would like to set the record straight as follows in relation to various facilities cited by the City of Johannesburg’s electricity utility, City Power:
Charlotte Maxeke Johannesburg Academic Hospital – Six invoices amounting to a total of R32,474,056.39 have been paid to CoJ from April to September 2023 towards the settlement of the R40m debt. An additional invoice of R4.9m has been finalised for payment this week, and the last invoice of R5.2m is currently being processed for a purchase order to be created before the money is released. These amounts excluded interest raised as the Department is of the view that the interest has been raised even on invoices that have long been settled leading to incorrect amounts being claimed.
Helen Joseph Hospital – All invoices received totalling a principal debt of R13m have been paid fully and received by CoJ between 07 August and 23 November 2023. It would appear that the amounts received by the CoJ were not yet allocated to relevant invoices and accounts on time; so they can also reflect on City Power’s records which highlights some of the challenges that lead to the incorrect reflection of actual amounts owed to the CoJ, and discrepancies between the parties.”
City Power threatened to move ahead with disconnections to Charlotte Maxeke Hospital on Thursday, 30 November if a R40 million payment is not made.
The utility claims that despite several discussions with the GDoH bills for several hospitals including Rahima Moosa Mother and Child Hospital, South Rand, Chris Hani Baragwanath and Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital remain unpaid.
MEDIA STATEMENT || GAUTENG DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH CLARIFIES ELECTRICITY BILL DISPUTE
— Gauteng Health (@GautengHealth) November 29, 2023
WITH CITY POWER pic.twitter.com/rJR27BZc46
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