City Power cuts electricity to Joburg buildings owing R15 million: What tenants should know
City Power and JMPD disconnected illegally connected buildings, noting that tenants who pay landlords for electricity may still lose power.
City Power and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) have disconnected electricity to 11 buildings in Johannesburg’s Inner City due to outstanding debts of over R15 million. The operation targeted 108 buildings considered unsafe and potentially hijacked. The largest debt, R5.7 million, belonged to a building on Main Street that was illegally connected to the power network.
City Power found occupants living in unsanitary conditions and disconnected the power via Level 3, the most severe disconnection level. Acting CEO Charles Tlouane described the conditions as "extremely concerning" and explained that the joint approach with JMPD was deliberate. Tenants in Yeoville and Berea, who owed R4.4 million and R410,000 respectively, continued to lack power.
Three properties, including one owing over R42,000, were disconnected for illegally tapping into streetlights. The utility warned that illegal reconnections would result in stricter actions. Tlouane explained that a Level 3 disconnection involved removing infrastructure to deter future illegal connections. Tenants who paid their landlords for electricity could still face power loss if the account remained unpaid.
City Power urged owners to proactively address their debts and report illegal connections by calling 0800 202 925.
Written by urgent.news from The Citizen's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
