PRETORIA, South Africa — The Kgosi Mampuru II Correctional Centre, one of South Africa’s most high-security prisons, was plunged into a state of operational panic on Saturday, January 24, 2026, after City of Tshwane officials arrived to disconnect its electricity due to an alleged billing “blunder.”
The attempted disconnection, which would have compromised the facility’s security systems, lighting, and electronic monitoring, was halted at the eleventh hour when officials realized their records were fundamentally incorrect.
The Standfall at the Gates
City of Tshwane technicians arrived at the facility armed with a disconnection notice for an astronomical “unpaid” balance. However, management at the Department of Correctional Services (DCS) produced immediate proof of payment and current account statements, revealing that the City was working off an outdated or duplicated billing file.
The DCS described the incident as “deeply disturbing” and a “national security risk,” noting that a power cut at a facility housing high-profile inmates and thousands of prisoners would have been catastrophic.
Mayor Under Fire
The blunder has placed Tshwane Executive Mayor Nasiphi Moya under intense scrutiny. Before the facts were verified, the Mayor reportedly made public pronouncements regarding the City’s “aggressive” stance against non-paying state institutions.
In a scathing response, the DCS stated:
“It is humiliating that the Mayor chose to make public pronouncements via social media alleging debt at a correctional facility without ensuring the facts were verified. This demonstrates a total lack of due diligence.”
A Pattern of Administrative Failure?
This incident is not the first time the City of Tshwane’s billing system has come under fire. For years, residents and government departments alike have complained of “ghost debts” and erratic invoicing. However, targeting a critical national key point like Kgosi Mampuru II has escalated the issue from an administrative headache to a potential safety crisis.
Security Implications
While the prison has backup generators, they are designed for short-term emergency use, not to sustain the entire complex indefinitely. Security experts noted that a sudden disconnection could have triggered:
- Security Breaches: Failures in electronic cell locks and perimeter monitoring.
- Safety Risks: Panic among the inmate population in darkened wings.
- Logistical Chaos: Disruption to food preparation and medical dispensaries.
The City’s Retreat
City of Tshwane officials were forced to withdraw the disconnection team after acknowledging the billing error. The DCS is now demanding a formal public apology from the Mayor’s office, asserting that the “apparent eagerness” to disconnect power at a prison for social media clout is a dangerous governance tactic.
As of Saturday evening, the lights remain on at Kgosi Mampuru, but the relationship between the City and the Department of Correctional Services is at an all-time low.
