AfriForum warns Tshwane Metro about cutting schools’ power
AfriForum’s legal representative warned the Tshwane Metropolitan Municipality with a lawyer’s letter that a contempt of court case will be filed against it if it continues to cut off schools’ power supply.
The court order in question was delivered on 5 May 2026 when an urgent application by AfriForum and Laerskool Wierdapark against this municipality was successful. It stipulates that the municipality may no longer cut off power to any schools due to non-payment of property rates. The case followed after several schools in the metropolitan area were literally left in the dark, although their electricity bills had been paid in full. However, their property rates, for which the provincial authorities are responsible, are in arrears. The Tshwane Metro was therefore punishing the innocent parties, namely schools and defenceless learners, for maladministration in which they had no part.
Despite the court order, it has come to AfriForum’s attention that the power supply to a school was cut off again on Monday for the same reason. It was restored later that day, but learners who were busy with exams had already been inconvenienced by then for hours.
According to Alana Bailey, AfriForum’s Head of Cultural Affairs, AfriForum will not hesitate to proceed with a contempt case if further incidents of this nature occur. She also encourages the governing bodies of schools that may be affected to contact AfriForum immediately so that the unpleasant situation can be resolved as soon as possible.
Schools that have already been affected by such power outages are also reminded that they can claim compensation for their expenses during the time without power supply according to the court order. The governing bodies are requested to keep AfriForum informed of the progress of this. “We want to ensure that the innocent victims of this battle between the province and the metro are properly compensated for their losses. If any aspect of the court order is disregarded, AfriForum is ready to assist the schools again,” Bailey concludes.
