The department released a statement which alleges the municipality has apologised for disconnecting electricity in the DPWI’s building and other government departments’ buildings for which the DPWI is paying rates and taxes. The municipal spokesperson, Thoko Riet, says no form of apology was ever offered to the department because on the day of the disconnection there was proof that the department(s) owed the municipality.  

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The media statement from the DPWI further alleges that the municipality did not issue a notice of non-payment and did not engage with the regional office with respect to the accounts before disconnection. It is said that the rates and taxes of the buildings managed by the department were paid, according to proof of payment made in July – which is in possession of the department. The next payment – at the time of the disconnection on 8 August 2022 - was for the month of August, which was expected to be made today, 15 August 2022. “The payments made were rates and taxes of ALL government departments under the management of DPWI, excluding municipal services for those departments that are responsible to pay them,” the statement reads. It seems that the electricity has since been restored at DPWI Kimberley Regional Offices.

Riet says they did, however, issue two notices - one for overdue accounts and another notice for disconnection.

Detailed questions have been sent to both the DPWI and Sol Plaatje Municipality for comments.

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