City Power disconnects services to recover R21.5m

City Power’s aggressive debt recovery campaign targets affluent areas in Johannesburg, disconnecting services to businesses and residences to address R21.5m in unpaid bills.

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City Power disconnects services to recover R21.5m.

City Power has launched a robust debt recovery campaign, leading to service disconnections across Johannesburg, particularly focusing on affluent neighbourhoods serviced by the Alexandra Service Delivery Centre.

To recover R21.5m in unpaid electricity bills, the entity, with law enforcement assistance, has taken decisive action against businesses, residential properties, and a place of worship in an aggressive push to tackle outstanding debts and illegal connections.

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena outlined the necessity of these disconnections. “Our revenue collection operations are crucial for maintaining a reliable electricity supply and ensuring that we can meet the demands of our customers. Non-payment and illegal connections burden our system and divert resources away from necessary service improvements,” Mangena said.

In Lombardy West, a student accommodation facility with a staggering R3.5m debt found its power cut off for failing to settle its bill, as well as illegally supplying electricity to a neighboring property owned by the same customer.

City Power disconnects services to businesses and residences to address R21.5m in unpaid bills.

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“This individual has been fined R30 000 and must apply for a new service connection with additional fees before reconnection occurs.

“The illegal connections not only jeopardize the safety and reliability of our electricity network but also impose extra costs on the utility, ultimately affecting all consumers.

“We urge our customers to adhere to payment agreements and avoid any illegal connections,” Mangena said.

A business park in Chislehurston was disconnected for a debt of R4.2m, while a place of worship faced a disconnection for owing R1.1m. Despite previous attempts to resolve the matter amicably, City Power was forced to terminate the power supply after gaining access to the property.

The operation also affected Kew, where a trucking company had its power supply cable and circuit breaker removed due to a debt of R3.1m. Meanwhile, a motor mechanic business in Bramley View was cut off for owing R900 000 and having an illegal connection.

A residential estate in the same area fell victim to similar measures for failing to honour its Debt Agreement since August 2023, resulting in a cumulative outstanding amount of R3.5m.

Mangena emphasised the broader implications of these actions. “City Power is devoted to delivering reliable and affordable electricity services. However, our ability to do so effectively depends on our customers fulfilling their financial obligations.

“As we face a collective demand for services, our revenue enhancement initiatives will continue to address non-payment and illegal connection issues,” Mangena said.

“The service centre is burdened with a whopping R463m owed by various business and residential defaulters. City Power is steadfast in its commitment to ensuring a sustainable electricity network for the community as it intensifies efforts to improve payment compliance across the city,” Mangena concluded.