FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: 6 May 2025

Edgar Legoale Foundation Calls for Urgent Action After City of Tshwane Cuts Power to Weskoppies Hospital

The Edgar Legoale Foundation is deeply concerned about the City of Tshwane’s decision to disconnect electricity at Weskoppies Psychiatric Hospital on 5 May 2025. This action, part of the “Tshwane Ya Tima” campaign to recover unpaid bills, left vulnerable mental health patients and staff in the dark, despite the hospital owing only R1 million—a payment the Gauteng Department of Health was already processing.

We believe this was wrong and against the law. A High Court order from 2023 clearly says public hospitals must not lose power, as it puts lives at risk. Cutting electricity to a hospital breaks this rule and harms patients’ rights to health, dignity, and life, as protected by our Constitution. The hospital had to rely on backup generators, which is not a safe or long-term solution.

Mayor Dr. Nasiphi Moya proudly announced the disconnection on social media, saying no one is exempt from the campaign. But treating a hospital like a regular debtor is unfair and dangerous. Patients at Weskoppies, many of whom are too sick to speak for themselves, deserve better. The stress and chaos caused by this could have made their conditions worse, and it put staff under unnecessary pressure.

The Foundation has written to the Public Protector, asking for an urgent investigation. We want the City to:

•  Say sorry to the hospital, staff, and patients.

•  Pay back any extra costs, like generator fuel.

•  Change the “Tshwane Ya Tima” rules to never cut power to hospitals or other essential services again.

•  Hold the Mayor and officials accountable for this mistake.

We also ask the Public Protector to tell all municipalities to follow the law and protect places like hospitals, schools, and clinics. This must never happen again in South Africa.

The Edgar Legoale Foundation stands for justice and support for the vulnerable, including young people and mental health patients. We urge the City of Tshwane to work with the Gauteng Department of Health to fix this and rebuild trust. We are ready to help with more information and will keep fighting for the rights of those affected.

For comments or more details, contact:

Edgar Legoale

Founder and Chairperson

Cell: 0814974837

Email: info@edgarlegoale.com

ENDS

Note: The Edgar Legoale Foundation is a non-profit organisation (NPO 227-671) dedicated to uplifting communities and promoting human rights in South Africa.