​Thembisa Shologu
The Gauteng Department of Health (GDoH) has refuted claims that it owed the City of Johannesburg (CoJ) an amount of R240 million.
This follows a recent report by the city threatening to cut services should the department's bill not be paid by Friday.
The department's Acting Chief Financial Officer, Masibolekwe Ndima, said the claims were related to the re-billing errors made by the city, adding that the current account with the municipality is up to date.
"We would like to put it on record that all our accounts for the City of Joburg are up to date. Concerning the claims the city has made that we owe them R240 million, we are aware of those claims. However, the claims are related to the billing of the city they made some errors.
Ndima said the department is willing to pay when all disputes are cleared.
"We are willing to pay, but any payment that we make should be accounted for, and we feel the city has not done enough to in convincing us on the disputes at hand." 
The department has requested the CoJ to clear these errors and investigate so that they can be able to settle the account. 
Ndima said a meeting was held on Wednesday concerning these billing and multiple meters in health institutions. 
"There is also the issue of sharing one metre between the Charlotte Maxeke Academic Hospital and Wits School, which is just next door. These are two separate institutions that result in disputed billings. 
"There is a disputed amount of R60 million related to meter readings and water leaks at Sizwe Tropical Disease Hospital. We hope we will put this matter to rest as soon as possible," Ndima explained.