By: Natasha Archary

City Power has embarked on a cut-off operation in the Johannesburg inner city, disconnecting power to several hijacked buildings in the CBD.
On Wednesday, 13 September the MMC for Environmental and Infrastructure Services (EISD), Councillor Jack Sekwaila, led a team from City Power Revenue Protection to a number of hijacked buildings in the inner city
City Power to disconnect electricity at several buildings in the Inner City believed to be occupied by suspected illegal occupants.
In an effort to ramp up collection efforts, City Power says all the buildings that they have listed to be disconnected is owing millions in unpaid electricity bills.
“City Power is ramping up revenue collection efforts and as a result, the actions of those who hijack buildings are not different to the illegal connectors who put pressure on our electricity network, and further hinder revenue recovery efforts.
Illegal connection of electricity is theft and should be treated as such by conducting this operation which will be supported by the law enforcement agency.”
One of the buildings that City Power has disconnected is a block of flats at 128 Betty Street, Jeepestown, which reportedly owes R14 million to the utility.
The cut-off operations have been halted, after angry residents of the building reportedly began attacking City Power officials and journalists.
Residents claim they are paying R3 000 a month in rent to people claiming to be the owners of the building.
The cut-off operation comes weeks after over 75 people died when a fire gutted a hijacked building in Marshalltown.
#JoburgUpdates
— @CityPowerJhb (@CityPowerJhb) September 13, 2023
Inner City SDC
Date: 13 September 2023
Time: 12h05
Kindly note that we have a cut-off operation today in the Inner City.
Our Target is a building that is believed to be occupied by illegal and extremely violent occupants.
The Cut-off operation has begun.… pic.twitter.com/y1vj3KEBIM
Also read: Pregnant woman found hanging in hospital bathroom



