Auckland Park Hospital settles R17 million electricity debt after City Power crackdown
Mapaballo Borotho
- A public hospital in Auckland Park paid over R17 million in overdue electricity bills to City Power.
- The payment followed a disconnection operation targeting defaulting customers owing a collective R36 million.
- City Power says the move is part of efforts to recover R1.6 billion in unpaid bills while ensuring uninterrupted services for critical institutions.
A public hospital in Auckland Park, Johannesburg, has settled just over R17 million in outstanding electricity bills owed to City Power, marking a key success in the utility’s ongoing debt recovery drive.
According to City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena, the payment follows a large-scale cut-off operation conducted on 17 October 2025 by the Hursthill Service Delivery Centre (SDC) in partnership with the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) and private security.
The operation targeted defaulting customers in Auckland Park, Croesus, and Industria West, who collectively owe more than R36 million in unpaid electricity accounts.
“During the operation, City Power teams visited a prominent public hospital in Auckland Park that had accumulated over R17 million in arrears, prompting a swift settlement from the hospital,” said Mangena.
He added that prior to the intervention, City Power had engaged with the hospital’s leadership to resolve the debt while avoiding a disconnection that could compromise patient care.
“This intervention highlights City Power’s commitment to balancing service recovery with compassion for critical institutions such as hospitals. The swift resolution reinforces the hospital’s ability to deliver uninterrupted services,” Mangena said.
In Industria West, a business complex with an outstanding balance of R4.9 million had its electricity supply cut off. City Power says similar operations will continue across Johannesburg to ensure compliance and financial accountability.
Customers struggling to pay their bills are encouraged to enter into Acknowledgment of Debt (AOD) agreements, which allow flexible repayment terms such as a 30% upfront payment over three months or 50% upfront over six months.
Mangena urged all customers to manage their accounts responsibly.
“Timely payments help avoid service disruptions, reconnection fees, and unnecessary inconvenience. Our teams remain committed to fair and transparent service delivery while ensuring a reliable power supply for all.”
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