Joburg City Power launches campaign to recover R1. 6 billion in unpaid electricity bills
Image: Oupa Mokoena / Independent Media
Embattled power utility City Power has launched a "targeted revenue collection" operation in Hursthill, Auckland Park, and Northcliff, as part of a new weekly campaign to recover R1.6 billion in unpaid electricity bills owed by defaulting residential and business customers.
Last week, IOL reported that the power utility and Eskom reached a R3.2 billion settlement agreement aimed at resolving long-standing billing disputes and safeguarding Johannesburg's electricity supply.
The Hursthill Service Delivery Centre (SDC) provides electricity to 46,141 customers: 19,880 postpaid, 26,033 prepaid, and 228 large power users.
"Hursthill SDC has intensified operations to ensure financial stability and continued service delivery to all customers," Isaac Mangena, General Manager at City Power said.
The operation, which was supported by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and private security, resulted in five successful disconnections collectively owing R5.4 million in electricity debt.
"Among the most notable was a residential property on Grange Street in Hursthill, operating as both a spaza shop and rental unit, which was disconnected for arrears exceeding R2 million, following repeated obstruction of meter audits. The customer's account is also in arrears with other municipal entities, resulting in a level 2 disconnection".
In the same suburb, two properties on St. Ermins and Threadneedle streets were also disconnected for a combined debt of nearly R700,000.
"The customer on St. Ermins was found to have bypassed the electricity meter, while the Threadneedle property had previously blocked City Power technicians for meter audits. Both customers were subjected to Level 3 disconnections, in line with our enforcement measures".
The power utility also warned that 'meter tampering is illegal and dangerous, and may lead to prosecution, disconnection, and confiscation of electrical equipment.'
In Auckland Park, a hijacked property owing over R1.7 million was disconnected, along with another account on Ditton Road with arrears nearing R850,000.
Malcolm de Lange, General Manager at Hursthill SDC, said the campaign strengthens City Power's ability 'to reinvest in critical infrastructure upgrades and improve supply reliability"
"This renewed effort not only targets outstanding debt but also strengthens our ability to reinvest in critical infrastructure upgrades and improve supply reliability for all customers within its supply areas. We will continueour efforts to recoup R1.6 billion in electricity debt. Therefore, sending a firm message to defaulting customers who risk disconnection,"
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