The City of Tshwane has disconnected electricity and water at Telkom SA Ltd's premises in Highveld, Centurion, over a debt exceeding R1.1 million. The South African Post Office's Koedoespoort offices were also cut off for owing R550,000. Tshwane Regional Mall in Mamelodi lost services over R638,000 owed by Interden Management Services.

These are just the latest targets in a city-wide credit control campaign to recover more than R30 billion in outstanding municipal debt. As of June 15, residents owe R20.778 billion, businesses owe R7.184 billion, and government departments and state-owned entities collectively owe R2.272 billion.

The municipality says it has already recovered over R13 billion through its debt collection initiatives. But with billions still unpaid, the city is turning up the heat.

"Credit control measures are being intensified until the city recovers what is owed to it. Service delivery is continuous, and as such, the city will leave no stone unturned," the city told IOL.

During the current financial year, Tshwane has carried out more than 150,000 electricity disconnections and over 61,000 water restrictions and disconnections. Residential customers account for the highest number of enforcement actions, followed by businesses.

Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya has publicised recent actions against residential complexes and commercial properties with substantial arrears. On June 11, the city disconnected Lawhill Apartments in Sunnyside, where Eathnigue Investments owes more than R1.1 million. Haakdoring Residential Complex in West Park was cut off over a debt exceeding R1.7 million. City Prop, First Venture on Bloed Street was disconnected for arrears of more than R641,000. Constantia Metering Residential Complex in Sunnyside owes more than R1 million and was also disconnected.

The municipality has also widened enforcement to include illegal structures and unlawful utility connections. During a recent "Bad Buildings Operation" at 139 Bloed Street in Pretoria CBD, officials found 43 rooms being rented out for between R1,200 and R1,800 a month — even though the structures had been demolished in 2021.

Ward 45 councillor Flora Monama said authorities discovered illegal water and electricity connections at the property. "Although these illegal structures were demolished in 2021 they've unfortunately been rebuilt. This is a privately owned property, and a contravention notice has been issued," Monama said. "Upon investigation we discovered an illegal connection of water and electricity. We're disconnecting with immediate effect."

In a separate operation on Christoffel Street, officials uncovered what Monama described as a hidden informal settlement of 30 shacks and several rented rooms. "We've served a notice for illegal structures and disconnected both the water and electricity connections," she said. "These operations aren't in vain. We're working within the law, and every single day we show up brings us one step closer to disrupting lawlessness and restoring order."

The city faces challenges including customers who fail to settle accounts after disconnection, the growing use of off-grid solar systems, infrastructure tampering, and intimidation of municipal officials in some areas.

Non-payment undermines the city's ability to deliver services and meet its financial obligations to bulk suppliers like Eskom and Rand Water. "Non-payment impacts service delivery. The city needs to meet certain funding targets; as such, non-payment means the city struggles to meet its commitments for smooth service delivery," the municipality said.

Despite the obstacles, Tshwane says its "Tshwane Ya Tima" programme and other credit control measures will continue as the city seeks to improve revenue collection and protect its financial sustainability.