The Department of Correctional Services (DCS) has strongly condemned what it describes as “deliberate misinformation” by the City of Tshwane, following the disconnection of electricity at the building housing the department’s national head office.

In a sharply worded statement on Friday, the department accused Tshwane mayor Dr Nasiphi Moya of misleading the public by falsely linking DCS to allegations of unpaid municipal accounts, despite being fully aware that the department does not own the building in question.

“The mayor is aware that the Department of Correctional Services does not own the building that houses its head office,” the department said. “Despite this, false claims were deliberately fabricated and circulated on public platforms to unjustly implicate the department in wrongdoing.”

DCS stressed that it occupies the premises as a tenant and has honoured all its contractual obligations to the landlord. According to the department, the landlord has, in turn, settled the municipal accounts, with verifiable proof of payment available.

“This matter amounts to administrative recklessness, an abuse of authority and a flagrant disregard for verified facts,” the department said, adding that it would not tolerate being “dragged into a manufactured crisis and irresponsible public posturing”.

The electricity cut-off, and the public association of DCS with alleged non-payment, was described as “unjustified and indefensible”, with the department warning that the mayor’s actions had caused unwarranted reputational harm.

DCS spokesperson Singabakho Nxumalo said the situation had also introduced unnecessary national security risks, given the department’s constitutional responsibility for the incarceration and rehabilitation of offenders.

“The Department of Correctional Services plays a critical role in the justice and security cluster. Actions of this nature demonstrate a disturbing lack of appreciation for the seriousness of this mandate,” Nxumalo said.

The department further criticised the City of Tshwane for failing to exercise basic due diligence before taking enforcement action.

“If the intention was to generate attention or drive engagement on social media platforms, such conduct should at the very least have been grounded in accurate, verified information and not deliberate deception,” the statement read.

DCS has now called on the City of Tshwane to review its conduct and issue a public apology for the reputational damage caused to the department.

“Public office bearers are duty-bound to act fairly, responsibly and in good faith, in line with corporate governance principles and the applicable legislative framework,” Nxumalo said.

The confrontation comes amid an aggressive revenue-collection drive by the City of Tshwane, led by Mayor Moya, as the metro attempts to recover billions of rand in unpaid electricity and water bills while grappling with major infrastructure challenges in its power network.

Since taking office, Moya has championed the #TshwaneYaTima campaign, which has seen the disconnection of several high-profile properties over outstanding municipal debts. The campaign forms part of the metro’s broader effort to stabilise its finances and improve service delivery.

In December 2024, Moya announced a landmark agreement between the City of Tshwane and Eskom to settle a historical debt of R6.67 billion. Under the agreement, the city committed to consistent monthly payments, which the mayor’s office said had already reduced the outstanding balance by approximately R1 billion.

The metro has argued that tough enforcement measures, including power disconnections, are necessary to ensure compliance and prevent further deterioration of municipal finances.

However, DCS maintains that its inclusion in the latest enforcement action was entirely misplaced and based on incorrect assumptions about ownership and liability.

“The Department does not owe the City of Tshwane any money,” Nxumalo said. “The decision to disconnect electricity and publicly link the department to allegations of non-payment was taken without regard for the facts.”

At the time of publication, the City of Tshwane had not responded directly to the department’s demand for an apology.