JOHANNESBURG - The Basic Education Department (DBE) has threatened legal action against the City of Tshwane.
This over the disconnection of electricity and water at its Pretoria head office.
On Thursday, Executive Mayor of Tshwane Nasiphi Moya revealed that the city had disconnected services due to a combined debt of over R104 million that is owed by 200 schools.
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However, the department defended its municipal account, claiming they are in good standing and that the debt cited by the city belongs to the Gauteng Education Department and not the national department.
"The City is fully aware that this is a provincial education department’s debt. Disconnecting services to DBE for the debt of another separate legal entity is without legal basis," the department said in a statement on Thursday.
According to the department, the disconnection has forced it to rely on costly backup generators.
"Running the generators alone costs tens of thousands of rands for every full day that electricity is not restored. These are public funds that should be supporting education, not paying for an avoidable disconnection."
The department warns that court action will follow if services aren't reconnected immediately.