When the lights went out in Botlhabela Village on November 25, the residents lit up the streets instead, not with electricity, but with fire.
Frustrated residents closed Lenin Drive with burning tyres, stones, and rubbish, forcing motorists and taxi operators to seek alternative routes as frustration over the suspended power supply boiled over.

City Power explained that in July, it conducted a normalisation process and installed 587 smart meters in the area. However, a recent audit revealed that 186 households were not purchasing electricity. This prompted a follow-up operation on November 21, which, according to the utility, was disrupted four days later by residents who are opposed to the requirement to purchase electricity.

Read more: Armed assailants attack City Power security officers in Alexandra

“To ensure the safety of our metering services team, the transformer supplying power to the area was isolated,” City Power’s spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, said.

For residents, the blanket disconnection felt like collective punishment. Thabang Mofera, among the most vocal, argued that paying customers were unfairly caught in the cut-off. “People have been buying R500 worth of electricity, but they have been affected by this,” he said.

Ward 105 councillor Tefo Raphadu showed residents documents indicating that over 180 households do not purchase electricity. Mofera acknowledged this, but insisted that many do. “We can’t buy electricity and not have it; that is the problem we have, and this issue of electricity is not getting resolved. I think they are toying with us,” Mofera stressed.

Also read: City Power responds to infrastructure theft and vandalism in Alex

The dispute has deepened a sense among some residents of being singled out. Residents pointed out to neighbouring areas where supply continues despite similar challenges, and accused City Power of targeting Botlhabela Village. “Even when our smart meters were installed, we were ambushed. We are demanding answers. Why is City Power harassing us only?” asked another resident, Masechaba Mogale.

Mangena said they had previously told the residents that any interference, threat, or harm towards their teams would lead to immediate suspension of operations in the area. However, resident Zanele Mabasa said they were not attacking anyone; they only wanted to know why City Power’s team wanted to cut off their supply.

@caxtonjoburgnorth WATCH: Residents of Botlhabela Village have taken to the streets over City Power’s decision to suspend power supply in the area. #Alex #Citypower ♬ original sound – Caxton Joburg North

Now, residents are plunged into darkness indefinitely. Mangena said supply will not be restored until further notice. “The metering services team will resume work once access is granted and the community guarantees their safety. Customers found with illegal connections will face a level 3 disconnection, removal of circuit breakers, and a R14 000 fine for a single-phase meter reconnection.”

Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram and TikTok for the latest updates!