City of Joburg Contemplates Electricity Cut Offs Amid Attacks on Officials

The City of Joburg is contemplating electricity cut-offs for communities where its officials have faced threats and violence.

According to Enews Nigeria, officials in Johannesburg often face attacks, threats, robbery, and obstruction or are denied access when attempting to read meters or disconnect properties with illegal connections.

Kgamanyane Maphologela, the director of customer communications in the city’s group finance department, reported that in September, approximately 2,605 customers, collectively owing the city more than R464.5 million for water services, reside in problematic communities inaccessible to the city.

Maphologela noted that around 323 customers, owing over R46.6 million for water services, either intimidated or denied Johannesburg Water Meter Readers access to their meters.

Moreover, during the same month, the department struggled to collect over R71.3 million owed for electricity, as City Power technicians faced intimidation from 143 customers.

Also read: Two Johannesburg Hospitals Receive ‘Pre-Termination Notices’ for R30m Electricity Debt

According to the city’s group chief financial officer, Tebogo Moraka, unauthorised connections and reconnections of water and electricity services have cost the city billions of rands.

Moraka emphasised, “The safety of our officials is of utmost importance. We will not tolerate lawlessness and any actions that endanger their lives. We may be compelled to consider a complete disconnection of electricity supply to these problematic areas.”

He said, “It is unacceptable that our staff face increasing resistance and intimidation from the communities and businesses they serve. We want to remind residents that electricity and water meters belong to the city.”

Moraka stressed that the city will not hesitate to press criminal charges or make arrests, impose significant fines, and cut off access to water and power.

“We are committed to collecting every cent owed to the city. We are working closely with various departments, including the Johannesburg Metro Policy Department, Revenue, City Power, Johannesburg Water, and others, to enhance our operations,” he stated.

Also read:

City Power Condemns Technician Attacks After 2 Employees Robbed

Picture: X / Saxondk

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