Tshwane refutes DA’s claims that incoming Deputy Mayor Eugene Modise owes city over R500K
The City of Tshwane municipality’s spokesperson – Selby Bokaba – has confirmed all of Modise’s existing accounts with the city have been settled.
A City of Tshwane Council meeting on 26 September 2024. Picture: Thabiso Goba/Eyewitness News
JOHANNESBURG – The City of Tshwane municipality has refuted claims by the Democratic Alliance (DA) that the newly elected Deputy Mayor – Eugene Modise – owes the city over R500,000 in unpaid bills.
The accusations stem from the former Finance MMC and DA caucus chairperson, Jacqui Uys, who released a public statement asking Modise to settle his accounts with the city.
Modise, the ANC’s regional chairperson and the current Finance MMC, was elected unopposed as the capital city’s second in command on Friday.
A report tabled to the Tshwane council in August, reveals 29 councillors owe the municipality a combined R2,9 million in unpaid water, electricity, rates and other services.
In the report, Modise is listed as having seven different accounts with the municipality, owing just over R695,000.
However, Modise says he has settled all those bills.
“I am going to sue Jacqui Uys. I owe nothing. There was a debt during the term of COVID-19, my tenants couldn’t pay and they were supposed to get rebates from the government and they didn’t. But I took it upon myself to pay that debt so I am not owing a single cent. I have requested the CFO [chief financial officer] to issue me with a letter that confirms I owe nothing.
“This is politicking actually, she was the Finance MMC, and she never raised this with anyone else but today, she feels it fit to do this. She is degrading my integrity and I am not going to take it kindly,” he said.
The City of Tshwane municipality’s spokesperson – Selby Bokaba – has confirmed all of Modise’s existing accounts with the city have been settled.