About 16 businesses at Ford’s Centre on Dudley Smith Road, Boksburg South, are likely to shed jobs because they have had no power to operate for over a week.
The dejected business operators wonder what the future holds for their livelihoods because, so far, there seem to be no solutions in sight.
Some took to social media to vent their frustrations about being unable to be fully operational.
The business owners, who asked not to be named, told Boksburg Advertiser on Friday that the municipality cut the power supply to the centre on January 19 because the property’s account is in arrears, apparently to the tune of R400 000.
They were shocked to learn their electricity money had not been paid to the municipality for a long time despite paying money for electricity and other municipal services into the landlord’s bank account monthly.
“We need electricity to operate at optimal levels. It has been over a week, and some have resorted to closing their businesses.
“Those operating are running at a loss because of the additional costs to run their generators. Others have asked some workers to stay home until the problem is resolved,” said one business operator.
For some, the cost of running a generator for a week has been about R3 000.
“Some businesses here use big machines that a small generator can not operate.
“The sad part is that despite these additional costs, we are still expected to pay rent and all the other monthly overheads.
“It’s not fair. It seems like this is our fault. We are forced to close early and are losing business.
“The landlord has not even called a meeting to hear our concerns and update us. Instead, we were initially given misleading information, claiming there was a mistake on the account, and which is why council cut the power.
“However, days later, the landlord confirmed on our WhatsApp group that the property’s account was in arrears because the money we paid went to his late father’s account.”
Another operator said the worst part is that they don’t know how long the landlord will take to resolve the issue.
“We have kept our accounts up-to-date for years, but I don’t know what will happen after this month.
“We were arrogantly given the option to submit notices to leave within a week. Where have you ever seen such a thing?
“Moving to other premises is not something that can happen overnight. You need to find suitable premises, and then there are the moving costs and moving cannot happen overnight either.
“Moving some businesses, like the pub, is difficult because of the licensing involved.”
The supermarket at the centre has already had to throw away perishable goods, including meat and dairy products, worth about R6 000.
“The messages we get through the grapevine and on our WhatsApp group are vague and cause uncertainty for all of us.
“The crazy part is they still expect us to pay rent,” the disgruntled business owners said.
It was the view of another tenant that the landlord should at least be honest and give a timeframe so they know what the future holds.
“You can’t just say this will take months. Months could be a year because there are 12 months in a year. We have workers whose jobs are now at risk.”
Management “shocked”
The property owner’s son, Henry Ford, said he was shocked to learn electricity money had not been paid directly to the metro for a long time.
He said the pre-paid electricity money was paid into his late father’s account and is currently in his estate.
“I was under the impression that the pre-paid meter money is paid directly to the municipality.
“All written correspondence was sent to my father, and I only discovered the problem after the metro delivered a notice to the centre this month.
“Tenants have been informed that I am having trouble accessing the bank account and that I am working with our lawyer.
“I was told it could take months to gain access to the account because it is in an estate and all instructions must come from the high court, but I also contacted the bank, and they promised to give feedback within 48 business hours,” said Ford.
About tenants serving notice and moving out, Ford said he was merely offering tenants an option.
“Of course, if that period is not enough, it can be extended,” he said.
When asked about compensation to the tenants forced to spend additional money on petrol, and those forced to cease operations after the disconnection, Ford said he is willing to negotiate to find common ground.
“I am actually a very understanding person. I fully understand the impact this situation has on the businesses. We can have discussions to see how we can assist them.
“I think it is important for all parties to understand that it is not their fault and is also not my fault. However, we are doing our best to get this problem resolved soonest.”
The Boksburg Advertiser is awaiting comment from the metro on how the outstanding electricity account was allowed to accumulate to such a large amount without it taking action.
