WATCH: City Power cuts off defaulting Joburg south customers owing millions
The R2.7b is the overall debt owed to Reuven SDC. The revenue collection drive was only addressing an R35m debt which is the combined total owed by the business disconnected on March 7.
City Power confirmed its revenue collection drives are working after the management of a defaulting shopping complex in the south of Johannesburg paid R1,1m on the spot to avoid staying in the dark.
This happened on March 7 during City Power’s revenue collection drive, held at the Reuven Service Delivery Centre. The entity paid visits to five business customers, who collectively owed R35m in unpaid electricity bills.
In the Ormonde area, they disconnected two customers; an estate and a shopping complex.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the estates, which owe R7.8m, were cut off earlier in the day during the operation for non-payment. Later, while the team was doing routine checkups, they found the property had been unlawfully reconnected.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the estates, which owe R7.8m, were cut off earlier in the day during the operation for non-payment. pic.twitter.com/61U8IzyE25
— Southern Courier SA (@courier_sa) March 8, 2024
“Our team immediately applied a level-3 cut-off, where essential components of our infrastructure get removed to avoid future attempts at illegal reconnection. As a result, the business will now have to apply for a service connection and be slapped with a penalty fee.
“Meanwhile, the shopping centre, which was also disconnected for owing R2.7m, quickly made a payment arrangement and had their supply restored.
The shopping centre, which was also disconnected for owing R2.7m, quickly made a payment arrangement and had their supply restored. pic.twitter.com/TtyFuTC5KR
— Southern Courier SA (@courier_sa) March 8, 2024
“Shortly after the power supply was disconnected, the management of the facility made an instant payment of R1.1m, to be reconnected and return their operations back to service. While City Power welcomes the payment, this shows many customers don’t fail to make payment out of lack, but rather attitude.
“The fact that the business managed to make that instant payment, shows that they have the means and are just reluctant. This has resulted in the customer debt levels reaching unsustainable levels,” explained Mangena.
City Power cuts off defaulting Joburg south customers owing millions pic.twitter.com/8gYFMsqkoR
— Southern Courier SA (@courier_sa) March 8, 2024
The Reuven SDC, where the operation was held, owes R2.7b, while the entire City Power has close to R10b of unpaid bills. This revenue is essential for the continued upkeep of the electricity infrastructure and the sustainable supply of power supply services to the residents of Johannesburg.
Other businesses were also disconnected as part of this week’s revenue collection drive. The cut-off operation has been rolled out across the city of Joburg to encourage and reinstall the culture of paying for services. This operation also demonstrates the consequences for those who continue to refuse to pay for electricity that they have consumed.
“We urge everyone who owes, to urgently visit our offices to make payment arrangements and honour those arrangements before we visit them,” said Mangena.
City Power cuts off defaulting Joburg south customers owing millions pic.twitter.com/AokbIyHvza
— Southern Courier SA (@courier_sa) March 8, 2024
