Joburg threatens to cut businesses and communities from its grid entirely – BusinessTech

The City of Johannesburg says it is considering removing communities and businesses from its grid if its officials are put in danger when trying to address illegal connections.

“City officials often get attacked, threatened, robbed, obstructed, or simply refused access to electricity and water meters when attempting to read these meters or effecting disconnections at properties that are illegally connected to municipal services,” the city said.

For instance, there were 2,605 customers who owed the city over R450 million for water services last month, but they are in areas seen as problematic where officials have no access.

There were also over 300 customers who owed over R46.6 million for water services who either intimidated or refused to allow Joburg Water to read their meters.

City Power technicians also faced intimidation from 143 customers who owed R71.3 million.

The city noted that these customers also reconnect to services as soon as they are disconnected whilst refusing to cooperate with officials.

Its CFO, Tebogo Moraka, said that the city is losing billions of rands due to these illegal connections and reconnections to electricity and water services.

“The safety of our officials is very important. Lawlessness and any deliberate action endangering their lives will not be tolerated. We will ultimately be forced to consider the complete disconnection of electricity supply to these problematic areas,” Moraka said.

“It’s unacceptable that our staff increasingly face resistance and intimidation for doing their jobs from communities and businesses they serve. We want to caution residents that electricity and water meters are property of the city.”

He added that the city would lay criminal charges, impose large fines, immediately disconnect services or arrest people with illegal connections to the city’s services.

The city will also ramp up its “disconnection blitz” against illegal connections and reconnections.

“We are resolute to collect every cent that is owed to the city. We are bringing everyone on board on our disconnection operations, including Johannesburg Metro Policy Department, Revenue, City Power, Johannesburg Water, and other crucial departments to strengthen our operations,” Moraka said.

Read: Total shutdown warning for one of South Africa’s most vital power stations