City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava warns that if their team encounter any threats, the entity will not hesitate but cut off power supply to the area. Photo: City Power

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The City of Johannesburg’s electricity entity City Power has agreed to restore power to the community of Riverpark but on condition that it be allowed to audit and normalise the meters. City Power has warned that ‘should our teams encounter violence again this week, we will resolve to switch the lights off again and suspend our services in the area’.

Riverpark has been without power since May 29 following refusals by residents to allow City Power to carry out an audit and eventual normalisation of the meters in that community. When that failed, the power utility then decided to cut off the power supply to the community. “We have taken a decision to restore electricity supply to the Riverpark community in Alexandra effective from today [3 June 2025], following a meeting with community leaders, including local Ward 81 Councillor Joanne Horwitz.

This comes after the entire area was disconnected on 29 May, following a violent confrontation with residents during a scheduled meter audit and disconnection operation. “The safety of our staff was severely compromised, with incidents of intimidation, road blockades, and attempts to hold our personnel hostage, forcing City Power to act decisively by cutting off supply to prevent further risk. “While we condemn the unlawful behaviour witnessed during the operation, we acknowledge the importance of constructive dialogue and have resolved to give law- abiding residents a fair opportunity to engage,” said City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava.

“Once power is restored, City Power teams will re-enter the area to conduct a full audit of electricity meters, including disconnection of individual households found to have tampered with or illegally bypassed meters. These operations which have already been agreed to by community representatives, will be carried out under strict law enforcement protection to ensure the safety of our staff and all involved,” said Mashava.

Mashava said as part of the entity’s efforts to encourage compliance, customers who were previously disconnected will only be required to pay R2 000 towards electricity purchases as part of the reconnection process. “It is important to clarify that this amount is not a penalty or reconnection fee, but rather a minimum charge to begin recovering outstanding service costs.

“Ordinarily, the cost to reconnect a single-phase meter is over R14 000, while three phase meters, which are used for businesses including backroom rental accommodations, can cost more than R30 000. We wish to remind customers that the R2 000 should not be paid to any individual but instead should go towards buying
electricity units from authorised vendors,” Mashava added.

Mashava said those who cannot afford to pay for electricity are urged to visit the City of Johannesburg offices to apply for the Expanded Social Package. Through this programme which caters for indigent households, City Power will be able to provide free basic electricity units. “We are already providing over 10 000 customers with basic free electricity, and we urge more to apply so that they can benefit. But for them to qualify, they need to have fully functioning meters. The package initiative aims to alleviate the burden of electricity costs from the vulnerable residents in the city through the provision of free basic electricity and a waiver of the R200 surcharge to qualifying individuals,” Mashava said.

Beneficiaries of the package include senior citizens, unemployed persons, women and children, child headed households and persons with disabilities, with a monthly income not exceeding R7 503.01. Qualifying individuals are encouraged to take advantage of the ongoing registration opportunity and bring along a South African identity document (Original), the city rates and taxes account, latest three months bank statement, proof of residence, and a City Power account/meter number.

Mashava said City Power remains firm that electricity theft, illegal connections, and meter tampering will not be tolerated. “We will continue working closely with law enforcement and local leaders to ensure compliance and protection our infrastructure. Should our teams encounter violence again this week, we will resolve to switching the lights off again and suspend our services in the area. “We urge residents to allow our teams to carry out their duties without interference and remind them that paying for services is the only way to ensure continued and reliable supply,” she concluded.