Mahauzana Flats to receive temporary electricity solution
City Power’s interim plan to install a mini substation and prepaid meters at Mahauzana Flats, River Park, offers hope for stable electricity.
After years of persistent power outages and unsafe illegal connections, Mahauzana Flats in River Park is set to benefit from a temporary electricity solution spearheaded by City Power, in collaboration with community leaders and Ward 81 councillor Joanne Horwitz.
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The initiative, announced by City Power’s Alexandra Service Delivery Centre (SDC), aims to stabilise the area’s electricity supply while addressing infrastructure overload and safety risks.
City Power general manager of public relations and communication, Isaac Mangena, explained that Mahauzana Flats, part of an unfinished Gauteng Provincial Government project, was not a formally registered customer due to its illegal occupation.
“City Power is not obligated to supply electricity to Mahauzana Flats. These buildings are owned by the Gauteng Department of Human Settlements and are currently illegally occupied. We can only electrify the area once the department formally proclaims the settlement and agrees to cover electricity billing,” said Mangena.
However, recognising the impact of outages on the broader River Park community, the utility devised an interim plan led by SDC general manager Mamodise Nkogatse. The solution involves installing a dedicated mini substation and four to six pillar boxes per block of flats, each equipped with three-phase prepaid meters and protection systems. “This setup will allow for sub-metering, enabling residents to manage their electricity usage,” Mangena shared.
Community leader Mapule Mogoba welcomed the initiative, noting it aligns with years of advocacy by the Mahauzana interim committee and Horwitz. Mogoba said the solution not only addressed the outages but also serious safety concerns from illegal connections. Additionally, she affirmed the community’s commitment to compliance. “We are willing to pay for electricity; that is not the problem. We had the meeting with the community, and we agreed on that.”
Horwitz, who has long pushed for infrastructure upgrades, said the solution came after her relentless efforts in collaboration with the interim committee. Horwitz said she proposed a workable, temporary solution to bolster the project’s progress.
“Only after this DA-led initiative did the wheels begin turning, with Environment and Infrastructure Services Department MMC Sekwaila finally signing off on the much-needed additional infrastructure installation,” she added.
Horwitz confirmed that City Power would proceed with installation once high-demand distributors had been secured.
City Power’s formalisation discussions with the Gauteng Provincial Government continue. For now, the plan promises to curb electricity theft, reduce outages, and enhance safety, offering Mahauzana residents a path toward reliable power.
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