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The Citizen
a day ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Power cut to police station sparks DA backlash over alleged favouritism
DA leaders are demanding answers after Tshwane cut power to the Moot police station but not a business owing millions. The City of Tshwane was yet to comment on criticism over cutting power to Moot police station on Tuesday as part of its Tshwane ya Tima programme to collect debt owed. The police station was still without power after the city cut its electricity due to arrears of an estimated R150 000. Police spokesperson Brigadier Brenda Muridili confirmed power had not been switched back yesterday. 'SAPS, together with the department of public works and administration, are working to restore the power,' she said. Power switched off at police station over debt Muridili said service delivery was not hampered as the station had a generator to supply power until the matter was resolved. DA Tshwane caucus chair Jacqui Uys called on the city to explain why the station's power was disconnected, while a private business owned by the deputy mayor, who is also the MMC of finance, was spared. ALSO READ: Wetland squatters remain after eviction in Wolwespruit area Uys asked if the deputy mayor's financial interest were more important than safety of residents. 'The deputy mayor and MMC of finance, Eugene Modise, must provide a clear explanation regarding the special treatment of his company, Mzansi Resorts, which owes the city R20 million and has not had services cut, in relation to Tshwane Ya Tima, which cut power to Saps in the Moot.' It was, however, believed the police power was cut not because of water and lights bills, but estate tax. Power cut due to estate tax An insider, who agreed to speak anonymously, said the city not only switched off the connection, but removed it. 'We have been asking for a while why the deputy mayor's business at Morula Sun still has power after he owes so much, yet he and the mayor cut others for less through their campaign.' ALSO READ: Tshwane hands over title deeds to Stinkwater residents The source questioned if political interference played a role in the police station being targeted. DA Tshwane caucus leader Cilliers Brink said if the power was switched off, it was important that the city and credit control assured all the other outstanding accounts, such as Morula Sun, were paid. 'If the deputy mayor can jump free from his debt, so should the police station,' he said. Process unfair Brink said the process was unfair as it benefited the deputy mayor at the disadvantage of the residents. Deputy mayor Modise declined to comment, saying he was not aware of the issue. NOW READ: Tshwane shuts down workers' protest at last minute
IOL News
03-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Tshwane deputy mayor faces allegations over R21 million unpaid municipal bills
The DA's spokesperson on finance in Tshwane, Jacqui Uys, accuses Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise of protecting a property he leases from power disconnection, despite it owing R21 million in municipal bills. Image: Supplied The DA in Tshwane has accused Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise, also the MMC for Finance, of protecting a former Morula Sun property he leases from the North West Housing Corporation (NWHC) from having its power disconnected despite it owing the metro R21.7 million in unpaid bills. Modise is the face of Tshwane Ya Tima revenue-collection campaign, which aggressively targets customers with outstanding municipal bills, often disconnecting their services. In recent months, the city has collected revenues from defaulting customers and businesses by disconnecting them from the grid. DA Tshwane spokesperson on finance, Jacqui Uys, claimed that Mzansi Resorts, formerly Morula Sun, owes the City of Tshwane R21,7m in outstanding rates, taxes, water, and sanitation charges. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ 'Mzansi Resorts is managed via a lease agreement with the NWHC by Mzansi Exhibitions and Events, a company owned by Tshwane Deputy Executive Mayor Eugene Modise, on the Morula Sun property in Mabopane,' she said. She said that although the municipal account is in the name of the NWHC, the lease agreement with Mzansi Exhibitions and Events specifies that Mzansi and Gold Rush Pty (Ltd), which leases a portion of the property, are liable for the city's bill. Uys said: 'In a recent City of Tshwane Finance oversight meeting, the DA raised concerns on the high outstanding municipal debt of the NWHC. This prompted city officials in the meeting to cite the NWHC's claims that they cannot settle their bills as their lessees do not pay their rent.' The controversy surrounding Modise's company comes after the DA in the North West province last week exposed that Modise owes the NWHC more than R12m in unpaid rent for its property. Modise has outright denied owing the entity, saying he would not allow political gimmicks to damage the relationship between his party and the NWHC. He claimed his administration has revitalised the entity, curbed crime, and halted vandalism. According to him, since the lease agreement, his company has had expensive, crucial renovations and makeovers of the property. Uys said that Modise's unpaid debt to the NWHC is hindering their ability to pay the City of Tshwane, which in turn affects residents, the city's financial recovery, and service delivery. She questioned the disparity in treatment, citing examples of provincial-owned facilities having their electricity cut off for non-payment, while Modise's Mzansi Resorts seems to be exempt. Responding to the allegations, Modise hit out at Uys, saying she is 'struggling with nostalgia'. 'Mzansi does not have an account with the city, and she can take it to court and satisfy her deep hatred for African excellence,' he said. He suggested that Uys needed basic economics training, implying she has lost touch.
IOL News
29-06-2025
- Business
- IOL News
DA calls for Tshwane Deputy Mayor Modise to explain R12. 5 million unpaid rent
City of Tshwane Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise is facing criticism over allegations that his company owes the North West Housing Corporation R12.5 million in unpaid rent for the Morula Sun property. Image: Supplied/ City of Tshwane The DA in the North West wants City of Tshwane Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise to appear before a provincial legislature portfolio committee to explain a lease agreement linked to his alleged R12.5 million debt in unpaid rent for the Morula Sun property, managed by the North West Housing Corporation (NWHC). The party has asked the portfolio committee on Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs to summon both Modise and the NWHC 'to come and account for this convenient arrangement between an ANC politician and a failing provincial entity, currently governed by a board staffed by a cohort of ANC politicians'. Modise, who is also the ANC chairperson in the Tshwane region, has reportedly denied owing NWHC, saying he won't let political gimmicks damage the relationship between his party and NWHC. He claimed his administration has transformed the entity, curbed criminal activities, and put a stop to vandalism. He highlighted that since the lease agreement his company has expensive crucial renovations and makeovers of the property. He said his company entered into the agreement before he became a councillor and deputy mayor. He declined to disclose further details, citing that the matter is being handled by the board of lawyers, saying it would be "disingenuous and inconsiderate" to comment further. CJ Steyl, DA MPL in the North West Provincial Legislature and spokesperson on Cooperative Governance, Human Settlements and Traditional Affairs, revealed that the outstanding debt owed by Modise to NWHC was exposed through a parliamentary written question posed by DA MPL Johni Steenkamp. The response to Steenkamp's question revealed that Modise's company, Mzanzi Resorts, owes the financially strained NWHC over R12.5 million in rental fees for the Morula Sun property. It was revealed that Modise entered into a lease agreement with NWHC in December 2019 for the Morula Sun property, with a monthly rental fee of R150,000. The contract was for three years but was extended to April 2026, despite millions owed in arrears. According to Steyl, the last payments were received in September 2024. 'It is notable that Tshwane Deputy Mayor Modise indicated on the addendum for the extension of the contract, dismissed the arrears amounts in lieu of repairs he brought, despite the contract stating in the lessee's obligations that Mzanzi resorts would be responsible for the maintenance,' he said. The DA has also referred the matter to Jacqui Uys, the party's Tshwane spokesperson on Finance, to initiate an investigation into Modise within the Metro council. 'The DA will not rest until every cent owed by Tshwane Deputy Mayor Modise is paid in full and that the NWHC accounts for the actions that led to this agreement between the compromised entity and an ANC politician,' Steyl said.
