The electricity standoff between Mayibuye residents and City Power is set to escalate as the community mobilises for a large-scale protest that they claim will bring the area to a standstill.

The protest is scheduled to begin just after midnight on August 25, with demonstrators gathering at the Mayibuye entrance traffic lights. By 08:00, the protesters plan to move to the mayor’s office in Braamfontein to deliver their memorandum.

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Organisers are warning that during the shutdown, schools, workplaces, and roads will be disrupted, with only matric learners and their teachers granted access – provided teachers can verify their status.

This decisive action follows a heated community meeting, led by the Mayibuye Youth Activism Movement at Mayibuye Hall on August 20, where overwhelming resident frustration over ongoing electricity issues was clearly expressed.

Long-term outages, with some households left powerless for months, broken mini-substations pending repair only after the smart meter normalisation process, and crushingly high tariffs and overbilling were key grievances highlighted.

Despite previous engagements with City Power, residents claim little progress has been made. Movement spokesperson Thapelo Nkoane said the community has lost patience and wants the City of Johannesburg to step in. “The city must address the ongoing issue of overbilling, review and correct the current tariff structures, and prioritise the repair and maintenance of critical infrastructure. Reliable service delivery is a basic right for all residents.

“The mayor and the City of Johannesburg Council have to compel City Power to implement a fixed or flat rate, reduce overbilling, fix the tariff, and also fix the infrastructure and maintain it.”
He emphasised that the protest would be peaceful but firm, urging widespread community participation. “Your presence and support are important as we unite for positive change. No movement will be allowed in Mayibuye. We will be singing in one voice: ‘Ziyakhala Monday’.”

Residents from communities such as Rabie Ridge, Tembisa, Alexandra, Midrand, and the inner city are encouraged to join the protest, with organisers insisting the electricity crisis affects communities across Johannesburg, not just Mayibuye.

As tensions rise, all eyes will be on whether the planned shutdown will push the city into delivering swift solutions to the long-running electricity challenges in the area.

Sign the Mayibuye Youth Activism Movement’s petition to do away with the monthly electricity service charge, the R200 service fee, and the newly imposed 12.4% tariff increase.

Click here to sign the petition.

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