Things turned sour for a Joburg sweet company when it received unannounced visitors on Thursday.
City Power disconnected the Nancefield factory’s electricity supply because it owes over R3.5-million.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said that in an intensified revenue collection effort, the utility, in partnership with the Johannesburg metro police department, the police and private security, successfully disconnected various defaulting customers who owe it over R24-million in unpaid electricity bills.
“City Power is owed a staggering R9.8-billion by defaulting customers across the city, and of this amount, R800-million is owed by customers within the Lenasia service delivery centre area,” Mangena said.
“To be reconnected, the customer will have to make a 30% payment and enter into an acknowledgement of debt,” he added.
A nearby scrapyard was found to be illegally reconnected to the grid. This large power user owes R1.9-million and was found to be operating without a meter.
Nelson Ravuku, general manager of the Lenasia service delivery centre, highlighted the dangers of illegal connections, including the risk of infrastructure damage.
“The customer was previously disconnected, but we found them operating without a meter as they had illegally reconnected themselves.
“We further found T-joints, indicating that heavy machinery is connected to our mini-substation, and we suspect that they are illegally supplying neighbouring properties. This action is extremely dangerous and risks massive infrastructure damage.
“We will explore the option of opening a criminal case against the scrapyard owner for tampering with essential infrastructure,” Ravuku said.
Mangena said other disconnected customers included a wholesale cash and carry in Klipriviersoog, which owed R3.3-million; a medical centre in Kliptown, which owed R1.8-million; and another large power user, which owed R5.4-million.
“These operations across the city are decisive in City Power’s efforts to enforce timely payment and uphold financial accountability.”
He said City Power was determined to hold all stakeholders accountable and instil a culture of punctual payment, ensuring that it could “continue to deliver high-quality and uninterrupted electrical services across the city”.
Pictured above: City Power officials disconnecting power from non-paying residents in Lenasia, south of Johannesburg.
