Highlands North residents battle extended power outages amid City Power tariff increases

While City Power’s 12.7% average tariff increase, effective from July 1, has garnered significant attention, the spotlight in Highlands North is on a more pressing issue: extended power outages that have left residents in the dark for over five weeks.

The tariff increase has been met with resistance from local representatives, including Ward 87 councillor Belinda Echeozonjoku and DA councillor Tim Truluck of Ward 117, who have voiced their concerns over the additional financial strain on residents.

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The Democratic Alliance (DA) has strongly opposed the increase, arguing that it unfairly burdens residents grappling with ongoing service interruptions. City officials defend the tariff adjustments necessary for infrastructure development and equitable service delivery.

Ward 87 councillor Belinda Echeozonjoku expressed concern, stating, “Ward councillors have been inundated with calls from residents with a serious outcry regarding the surcharge on electricity.” DA councillor Tim Truluck echoed these sentiments, emphasising, “Be prepared for a double whammy shock when you buy your 1st electricity voucher as I see the R200 surcharge is deducted from your 1st pre-paid purchase every month as well as there being a 12.7% annual increase.”

Highlands North power crisis

For the residents of Highlands North, the new tariffs are just another layer of frustration. Resident Helen Kagan reported, “Contractors come out and work on the problem. We have electricity for a day or a few hours and then it’s off again.” Despite numerous fault logs and attempts to resolve the issue, residents are dealing with low voltage and intermittent power supply.

Kagan, who resides on 10th Avenue, highlighted the severe impact of these outages, stating, “We cannot function on 119 volts or 122 volts when we are constitutionally entitled to 220 volts. My electrician has warned me that if I keep it going with low voltage, the circuit breaker could break down in totality and I would have nothing in my house entirely.”

Kagan claimed that City Power claims there is no issue, despite residents experiencing low voltage levels that render their electricity unusable. This has left many unable to use major appliances or even power their homes safely.

Residents have taken to community WhatsApp groups to share information and support each other. They have also tried to escalate their concerns through local councillors, but responses have been slow or non-existent.

Call for action

The situation has prompted calls for urgent intervention from City Power and local government officials. The anxiety among residents is palpable as they continue to navigate daily life without a reliable power supply.

While the tariff increase is aimed at stabilising City Power’s financial woes, the immediate need for consistent and adequate electricity supply in Highlands North remains unaddressed. Residents hope their plight will soon be acknowledged and rectified, ensuring they can live without the constant disruption of power outages.

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Echeozonjoku empathised with the frustrations expressed by residents such as Helen. “I’ve diligently escalated these concerns to City Power numerous times,” she explained. “As ward councillors, our oversight role is crucial, but we’re reliant on City Power as the operational authority,” Echeozonjoku added, highlighting her shared frustration with the community.

“In addition to Helen’s case, we’ve seen prolonged outages affecting residents, such as in Winston Ridge where power was out for five days,” Echeozonjoku revealed, stressing the widespread impact. “Handling between 800 to 1200 daily messages emphasises the urgency residents feel,” she admitted, stressing her commitment to keeping Ward 74 informed.

Despite efforts to obtain City Power’s input regarding the Highlands North outage, they did not respond by the time of publication.