{
  "id": 572036,
  "title": "City Power urges users to help ease pressure on network",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/11/city-power-urges-users-to-help-ease-pressure-on-network",
  "topic": "business",
  "section": "Business",
  "published": "2026-08-11T14:06:16.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "SABC News",
    "slug": "sabc-news",
    "url": "https://www.sabcnews.com/sabcnews/city-power-urges-users-to-help-ease-pressure-on-network/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "City Power is grappling with an overwhelming number of power outages and fault reports in Johannesburg as cold and wet weather continues to strain the city's power network. The utility is currently handling approximately 3,000 open calls, with the highest number of reports coming from Hursthill, which exceeds 1,400.\n\nSevere weather conditions have prompted City Power to urge Johannesburg residents to curb their electricity usage. Despite efforts to restore supply in several areas, medium-voltage outages remain active in multiple regions. Isaac Mangena, a City Power spokesperson, notes that while power has been restored in parts of the inner city and other affected zones, residents in areas like Hillbrow, Braamfontein, and parts of Johannesburg south continue to experience power disruptions.\n\nThe utility is appealing to customers to assist in safeguarding the network by reducing electricity consumption, particularly during peak morning and evening periods. Additionally, residents are being advised to stagger the use of high-consumption appliances within their homes. During an outage, customers are recommended to unplug appliances and gradually switch them back on once power is restored. City Power teams are actively deployed across the city, working to deploy resources and address the backlog as swiftly and safely as possible.",
  "summary": "The utility says it is currently managing about 3 000 open calls",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}