City of Johannesburg escalates action against illegal connections

The City of Johannesburg (CoJ) could be forced to consider removing communities and businesses from its electricity grid that constantly endangers the lives of its officials.

The CoJ’s group chief financial officer, Tebogo Moraka, said city officials are frequently attacked, threatened, robbed, obstructed, or refused access when trying to read electricity and water meters or disconnect properties illegally connected to municipal services.

“This September alone, at least 2 605 customers, who collectively owe more than R464.5m for water services, are in communities classified as problematic areas where the city has no access. A further 323 customers who owe the city more than R46.6m for water services either intimidated or refused the Johannesburg Water Meter readers access to those meters.

“In the same month, the city struggled to collect more than R71.3m owed for electricity because City Power technicians faced intimidation from 143 customers. These customers blatantly reconnect themselves to services each time they are disconnected and refuse to cooperate with the city.

“The safety of our officials is vital. We will not tolerate lawlessness or any deliberate action endangering their lives. We will ultimately be forced to consider the complete disconnection of electricity supply to these problematic areas. It is unacceptable that our staff increasingly face resistance and intimidation from communities and businesses they serve for doing their jobs. We caution residents that electricity and water meters are the city’s property.

“The city will not hesitate to lay criminal charges or effect arrests, impose hefty fines, and immediately disconnect electricity and water supply to those who illegally connect themselves to the services,” said Moraka.

Moraka warns that the city will not back down from fierce lawlessness but will instead intensify its disconnection blitz against illegal connections and reconnections of electricity and water services across the city.

“We are resolute to collect every cent owed to the city. We are bringing everyone on board for our disconnection operations, which include the Johannesburg Metro Policy Department, Revenue, City Power, Johannesburg Water, and other crucial departments to strengthen our operations,” said Moraka.

Customers who wish to make payment arrangements and do not wish to visit any of the abovementioned walk-in centres can email the city’s Credit Control Department on creditcontrol@joburg.org.za

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