City Power intensifies efforts to cut off illegal electricity connections
It said illegal connections cost the utility more than R2.5 billion in financial loss annually.
A City Power official disconnects multiple residential and commercial properties in Ormonde, and an electronics wholesaler in Selby during a revenue collection drive on 22 August 2024. Picture: @CityPowerJhb/X
JOHANNESBURG - City Power said it has intensified efforts to cut off illegal connections and enforce disconnections on defaulting customers.
It said illegal connections cost the utility more than R2.5 billion in financial loss annually.
The power utility said it is targeting areas prone to capacity challenges, including informal settlements and backyard rooms, where illegal connections are rife.
Spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the disconnections are a means to ensure that customers connect and buy electricity legally.
“Part of what we're trying to do is basically ensure that we get as many electrified as possible. We're also trying to ensure that all those informal settlements are basically put on the free basic electricity book, and we are able to quantify the losses that we have there and that we can also claim from Treasury in terms of the free basic electricity grant.”