City cuts off SAPS’ and court’s electricity in Toti
The Amanzimtoti SAPS and Magistrate’s Court buildings have had their power cut off due to non-payment.
OFFICIALS at both the Amanzimtoti Magistrate’s Court and the Amanzimtoti police station were left in the dark on Wednesday morning, August 17, when electricians from eThekwini Municipality switched off the power due to non-payment.
ALSO READ: Court case over old airport drags on
The electricians confirmed to the SUN at the scene that the SAPS owes the municipality R32 000, and the Magistrate’s Court owes R28 500.
The electricians arrived at the court just before 11:00 and stated their intention, but they were told to wait for a senior manager from the Department of Justice who was on his way to sort the matter out. They were also told there was a court case in progress at Court 1, and if the power was to be cut mid-trial, the recorded transcripts of the proceedings would be lost. After waiting in vain for the senior manager for about 30 minutes, the power was eventually cut off, plunging the building into darkness and bringing the case that was being heard to an abrupt stop.
The electricians then moved next door to the police station where they summarily cut the power off and left.
At both institutions, some staff initially thought the outage was as a result of load-shedding, but after realising the real reason, most of them were angry.
Amanzimtoti SAPS communications officer, Captain Charlene van der Spuy, declined to comment on the matter.
When eThekwini presented the 2022/2023 budget in May, it warned government departments to start paying off their debts or have their services cut off.
DID YOU KNOW?
Click on the words highlighted in red to read more on this and related topics. To receive news links via WhatsApp or Telegram, send an invite to 061 694 6047
The South Coast Sun is also on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Pinterest – why not join us there?
Do you have more information pertaining to this story? Feel free to let us know by commenting on our Facebook page or you can contact our newsroom on 031 903 2341 and speak to a journalist.
(Comments posted on this issue may be used for publication in the Sun)
