A dispute between City Power and a Lombardy East resident over the source of reported electrical shocks remains unresolved.

The utility maintains that it repaired the fault on its network, while the resident insists the problem continues. The Sandton Chronicle first received complaints from residents in Tennyson Road after electricity was restored following a prolonged outage, caused by vandalism of electrical infrastructure, in May. Residents alleged that, after power was restored, several households began receiving electric shocks from taps, showers, metal appliances, and outdoor areas.

Read more: Residents endure days without power in Bramley North

Keith Struwig, one of the affected residents, said he spent weeks reporting the fault, claiming several fault reports were closed before the underlying problem was resolved, alleging that City Power technicians focused on restoring electricity, rather than identifying the source of the electrical shocks. Struwig said he demonstrated the voltage readings himself by inserting a test probe into his lawn. He claimed readings at his property ranged between 80V and 90V, which he believed posed a serious safety risk.

He also disputed City Power’s earlier statement that technicians recorded approximately 30V at his property. Although Struwig acknowledged that the damaged underground cable was eventually repaired, he believes there may have been another fault, because elevated voltage remained after the repair, before later dropping to what he considered normal levels. He stressed that this was his opinion, based on his electrical experience, and that he had no proof of a second fault.

Following City Power’s initial response to the Sandton Chronicle, the newspaper contacted the resident again before publication. Struwig maintained that the issue had not been resolved and logged a new fault with the utility.

In response to a follow-up media enquiry, City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the utility stands by its position that the fault on its network was permanently repaired on July 19. Mangena said technicians returned to the property on July 28 after the new fault was reported, but alleged that the resident repeatedly interfered with the repair and testing process by disputing City Power’s readings and relying on measurements taken with his own testing equipment.

He added that technicians requested permission to bond the neutral and earth, a standard diagnostic procedure used to determine whether a fault originated on the customer’s electrical installation. According to Mangena, the resident refused permission, preventing City Power from completing a full assessment. “This raises the possibility that the reported issue may originate on the customer’s side of the supply, although City Power has not been permitted to verify this.”

City Power also stated that customers should not operate testing equipment on or around its electrical infrastructure, describing the practice as unsafe and prohibited. Mangena said the utility remains willing to return to the property and conduct further investigations if technicians are granted the necessary access and co-operation.

Also read: City Power announces Bryanston power interruption

After receiving City Power’s latest response, the Sandton Chronicle approached Struwig for comment on the utility’s claims. Struwig rejected City Power’s version of events, saying he had repeatedly asked technicians over the past nine weeks to determine whether the fault was on his property or on City Power’s network. “I’ve been telling them that for nine weeks. Not one team stays long enough to diagnose properly.”

Struwig also claimed that the northern section of Tennyson Road was experiencing another power outage, and alleged that he was still recording 105V on his earth connection. “The manager is welcome to phone me, or come and see for himself.”

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