City Power has decided to abandon its plans to remove illegal electricity connections in River Park, Alexandra, following a day of protests.
Officials descended on the area on Thursday morning to carry out the disconnections.
They were accompanied by police and metro cops.
City Power is part of Okae Molao Operation in Alexandra to cut off illegal connections in the area. pic.twitter.com/3rn2q0JOJM
— @CityPowerJhb (@CityPowerJhb) February 18, 2021
Alex residents block access to roads
But officials were met with resistance as soon as residents spotted them gathering near Alex Mall.
Residents burned tyres to block access to some of the roads.
City Power officials decided to abandon their plans as they feared for their staff’s safety and potential damage to their vehicles – which had been stoned in the past.
Officials from the office for Environment and Infrastructure Services were at the scene.
A meeting has been planned to discuss residents’ grievances, but City Power has vowed to return to the area.
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Residents were striking on London Road next to Alex Mall. My office alongside @CityPowerJhb officials were present to address the media and also facilitate a conversations with residents to agree to a meeting that leads to a resolution in this matter. pic.twitter.com/jtAr2IEV6f
— Cllr Mpho Moerane (@mphomoerane) February 18, 2021
Billions lost every year due to illegal connections
Not only do illegal connections cost City Power billions, but they also cause an overload on the network.
Only 4% of residents are reportedly paying for electricity in Alex.
A photo shared on City Power’s Twitter page shows some of the illegal connections hanging from flats in the area.
The dangerous illegally-connected cables hanging from the flats in Riverpark Alexandra. #OkaeMolao pic.twitter.com/q1qizXq1FM
— @CityPowerJhb (@CityPowerJhb) February 18, 2021
Greenville and some homes along London Road are some of the other areas City Power is monitoring.



