WATCH: City Power disconnects electricity at Hillbrow flats over non-payment

City Power also disconnected electricity at the Gauteng eGoverment and Treasury building, saying it owed R34 million.

City Power technicians disconnects electricity at Wembledon Flat in Hillbrow in Johannesburg , 21 November 2022. City Power accompanied by SAPS, JMPD and security went back to the building after City Power technicians were attacked while doing their Job. The building owes City Power 5 million rand.Picture: Nigel Sibanda

City Power on Monday returned to Hillbrow to disconnect a flat that allegedly owes the City of Joburg close to R5 million.

This after withdrawing its team on Friday after one of the employees was attacked by the residents.

According to CEO Tshifularo Mashava, Ratsele Machete, 53, was in critical condition in hospital after he was attacked and assaulted in Hillbrow.

He was with a team doing cut off operation on defaulting flat along Wolmarans Street in Hillbrow when they were attacked and stoned by the residents, who also threatened to burn their cars. He was hit in the head several times with a blunt object and stones, said Mashava.

But City Power returned today to cut off the electricity on the non-paying flats.

From obscurity to ‘useful idiot’: Gwamanda has done little as Joburg mayor

ALSO READ: City Power embarks on safety measure programme, condemns attacks on workers

“It is quite regrettable that if there are citizens who have not paid should be able to accept when they disconnect, but we acknowledge that it is now quite dangerous for our employees, so to create a safe space for them to do what they need to do, we are partnering with external service providers such as the JMPD and the police. We also have a security company that is contracted with us. We’re ensuring that they are there because we need to ensure that it is safe for our employees,” said Mashava.