Illegal electrical cables make their way to an electrical box in Region E of Johannesburg.
- City Power embarked on the first day of a three-day revenue collection effort on delinquent businesses in Region E.
- The region owes R363 million and the entity expects to recover at least R36 million.
- A family whose power was cut off was shocked to learn that the owner had an illegal electrical connection.
Pulane Mokoena is grateful to have converted to the gas cooker last week because she will be able to feed her three children and her husband when night falls.
The other 25 residents of Nonya Properties in Kew may not be so lucky after Johannesburg’s City Power cut their electricity on Tuesday.
The residents of the apartments did not know that the electricity they paid to the owner came from an illegal connection.
On Tuesday, the bulk electricity provider began a three-day revenue collection effort to recover some of the R363 million owed by delinquent companies in Region E.
The entity expects to recover R36 million of this debt within three days.
City Power spokesman Isaac Mangena said only 4% of Alexandra paid for electricity and some of the bills ran into the millions.
READ | City Power to cut off defaulters on Alexandra in bid to recoup R363m
He said City Power was looking first for the low-hanging fruit: companies that could pay their bills but don’t.
According to Mangena, these businesses include:
Engine Garage, which had a bill of around R1 million. The garage owner made an appointment to meet with City Power on Tuesday to avoid a power outage.
A City Power employee moves to cut off an illegal electrical connection at a church in Region E.
Wynberg SAPS owed around R1 million but had documents showing they were inquiring about the amount and managed to avoid having their electricity cut off.
Johannesburg Central College owed R980,000, but Mangena said they were notified on Monday and paid the bill.
“They paid yesterday, so the amount still needs to be reflected. But they had the ability to pay what they owed, and they just didn’t pay until we threatened to cut them off.”
When City Power inspected a mini substation outside the university, they found that the wires had already been cut and stolen. The power supply to nearby traffic lights was also affected.
Ashur Properties owed more than R2 million. The owner, Sylvester Joseph, said he was in litigation with the city over the bill. But on inspection of the electric meter, City Power employees said there was no mistake in the bill and cut the cables connecting their factory to the main power grid.
Winners Chapel International church owes R740,000, and their electricity has also been cut off.
Across the street from the church, the Revelation Spiritual Home was found to have an illegal connection. This goes back to an electrical meter in the pavement, which was cut and stripped of illegal electrical wires.
When City Power followed the illegal connection to a nearby electrical panel, it led to Nonya Properties.
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Mokoena said she was surprised to learn that the property owner had an illegal electrical connection.
He showed News24 inside his house and his prepaid electric meter.
“I am very disappointed about the power outage. I pay R800 a month for electricity. But at least I have a gas stove. I had to use gas due to reduced load.”
Pulane Mokoena shows News24 her prepaid electric meter. She was shocked to learn that although she pays for electricity, the landlord has an illegal electrical connection.
Mangena said City Power was owed R4 billion from businesses and residences in Johannesburg.
He said the culture of non-payment for electricity was both historical and political in Alexandra, and the electricity provider hoped the culture could be changed by acting on defaulters.
“We want companies that can pay to come forward before we approach them. A lot of these companies have the money, but they just don’t want to pay.”
On Wednesday, the entity will go to the smaller businesses of the municipality, such as taverns and salons.
