Basic education says City of Tshwane cut services in error

Basic Education says the City of Tshwane mistakenly disconnected electricity and water.

Black News Black News
Jun 26, 2026 - 09:15
Basic education says City of Tshwane cut services in error

The Department of Basic Education says the disconnection of electricity and water at its head office in Tshwane was made in error by the City of Tshwane.

The disconnection comes as the City continues with its revenue collection and debt recovery campaign targeting residents, businesses and government departments with unpaid or defaulted municipal utility accounts.

Basic Education Ministry spokesperson Lukhanyo Vanqa says the debt identified by the City belongs to the Gauteng Department of Education and not the national department.

Vanqa says, “The legal basis is that you cannot punish an account holder for the debt of a separate legal entity who also has their own account with the city. The account of the Department of Basic Education, the National Department of Basic Education, is not in error. There’s not a single cent that is owing on our account. The debts that we spoke about, R104 million, is said to be owed by a number of schools that fall under the Tshwane area.”

Vanqa says the City has undertaken to reconnect services at the department’s head office. He says the disputed R104 million debt relates to about 200 schools under the jurisdiction of the Gauteng Department of Education.

He adds that the National Department of Basic Education is responsible for national policy, legislation, curriculum and assessments, but does not manage the day-to-day operations of schools.

Vanqa says, “And in our constitutional scheme, the owner of schools is the province, and the province is responsible for the day-to-day running of schools. The National Department of Basic Education does not run day-to-day operations of schools, nor do we have schools on our balance sheet. So we don’t owe schools. We don’t own schools. We are responsible for national guidelines. We are responsible for national legislation. We are responsible for curriculum as well as assessments.”

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