Correctional Services make amends, foots the bill to restore services

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The department of correctional services has made amends by footing its municipal bill after defaulting on payment.

The payment comes after the City of Johannesburg’s hunt on worse defaulters and aggressive cut-off operation forcing prisons to settle their debts in full.

CoJ confirmed that this much needed action has led the department to settling their R13 million municipal bill for two respective prisons over the weekend.

The bill was for both the Leeuwkop Prison and Johannesburg Prison (also known as Sun City Prison).

According to the city’s group chief financial officer, Tebogo Moraka, the department subsequently paid the full R9.8 million debt for Leeuwkop Prison and the remainder of about R3.2 million was paid towards the Johannesburg Prison on Saturday.

The city was forced to shut-down water supply at Leeuwkop Prison last Friday over its huge outstanding debt, which has since been settled in full.

“As the city we will continue to go on aggressive campaigns to collect the huge money that is owed to the city.

“Residents should understand that without them playing their part by paying for services they consume; we are unable to render services as a municipality.

“We are left with no choice but to cut our services to those who owe us,” said Moraka.

Last week the city chased after its ten worst defaulters, which included a hotel, a prison, large residential estates, a private retirement village, panel beating business and large firms who collectively owe the city more than a whopping R104 million on unpaid services.

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At the properties where the city found illegal electricity and water connections, the city swiftly removed all its infrastructure which included water and electricity meters and cables.

Moraka said at one posh private Retirement village Estate in Northview, which the city visited, the management was able to find R7.7 million to pay the 30% of their enormous R25.6 million bill. This was after their water supply was cut last week due to non-payment.