In an effort to recover lost revenue, City Power has begun converting all non-vending prepaid residential customers to postpaid billing accounts.
This intervention forms part of their ongoing efforts to reduce revenue losses, address issues related to tampered meters and illegal connections, and advance a broader programme aimed at improving billing accuracy across all areas of supply. It is also about ensuring that residents are responsible, and pay for the electricity that they use.
Read more: City Power targets zama-zama illegal connections in Johannesburg
Isaac Mangena, City Power spokesperson, explained that the conversion process, which will continue until December 31, affects more than 2 318 prepaid customers who have already been identified as non-vending. “We are doing this to enable us to recover money owed in accordance with the by-laws. The by-laws say we should disconnect illegally connected electricity and also backdate charges to not beyond 36 months. Currently on prepaid, City Power is not able to backdate, which allows customers to get away with bypassing and also non-payment. Once implemented, this will allow credit recovery measures to take effect, which may include blacklisting after all necessary processes have been exhausted.”
The entity teams will also continue conducting stand-by-stand meter audits across the city, to identify additional customers who are not vending or whose prepaid meters may have been bridged.
Once converted to postpaid, customers’ electricity usage will be billed monthly and reflected on their city statements, which will be due for payment as per standard postpaid billing terms, which will also include a monthly service charge and network capacity charge of approximately R900. Customers are encouraged to settle their accounts promptly to avoid disconnection.
Also read: City Power targets illegal Kya Sands connections
The entity is aware of potential security concerns during the audit process, as unauthorised individuals may attempt to impersonate staff or contractors.
Residents are urged to verify the credentials of anyone claiming to represent City Power by:
- Contacting the Security Risk Management Control Room on 011 490 7900 / 011 490 7911, or via WhatsApp on 083 579 4497, and
- Confirming scheduled work through Randburg Service Delivery Centre (SDC) or your ward councillor.
All City Power employees and contractors are required to carry and present their official identification cards, which include:
- A photograph and personal details of the employee or contractor,
- A contractor verification number (badge number) and expiry date, and
- A firefly hologram for enhanced security.
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