The future of electricity supply at Norscot Recreation Centre hangs in the balance, as a dispute between City Power and Eskom continues, raising concerns for the businesses, facilities, and residents who rely on the community hub every day.

Ward 106 councillor Chris Santana said he became aware of the issue about two weeks ago after being informed by the owner of The Secret Garden restaurant that Eskom had arrived to disconnect the electricity supply. Santana said he immediately approached the city for answers and was told the problem related to the account. However, he believes the matter extends beyond unpaid bills. “From my understanding, the last invoice that was paid was in November 2023, meaning Eskom has allegedly not been paid for nearly three years.”

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He also claims he has been informed that City Power may have illegally connected the recreation centre to Eskom’s electricity supply, although he stressed he is still seeking clarity from the relevant city departments. “If there is an issue, we need to solve it. If there was an illegal connection from the city’s side, then that also needs to be dealt with, along with the consequences.”

According to the councillor, responsibility for the account appears to fall under the city’s community development department. He has since approached the department’s executive director for answers on what caused the dispute, and when it will be resolved. “So far, we’ve only been told they’re dealing with it. The challenge is that the city seldom provides timelines, and that’s extremely frustrating because this matter cannot drag on indefinitely.”

Santana warned that prolonged uncertainty could have serious consequences for the recreation centre and its tenants. “If businesses have to rely on generators, they’re incurring additional costs, which affects whether it’s financially viable for them to continue operating.”

At the time of the interview, the recreation centre still had electricity. However, Santana said there had been reports that Eskom intended to disconnect the supply again. “I don’t know when that might happen. It could be next week. I simply don’t have those answers. For now, they do have electricity, but that may change.”

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City Power’s Isaac Mangena said the Fourways area, including the Norscot Recreation Centre, does not fall within the entity’s electricity supply area. “This area is supplied by Eskom. The only infrastructure that City Power maintains within the Fourways area is the public street lighting.”

Mangena, however, refuted the allegation that City Power illegally connected the Norscot Recreation Centre to Eskom’s electricity network. “The recreation centre is not part of City Power’s electricity distribution infrastructure, and City Power has not undertaken any connection or reconnection works at the site. Furthermore, City Power has no record of disconnecting or reconnecting the electricity supply to the Norscot Recreation Centre, as this falls outside our areas of supply.”

Eskom, as well as the City of Johannesburg, could not comment despite follow ups.

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