Latest news with #CityPower
The Citizen
2 hours ago
- Business
- The Citizen
City Power continues to roll out free basic electricity
ity Power is urging indigent customers within the Randburg Service Delivery Centre (SDC) supply areas to register for the free basic electricity (FBE) programme before the deadline on July 31. City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena explained that this initiative primarily targets vulnerable households, including the unemployed, pensioners, child-headed households, and those earning under R7 503.01 or less per month, providing 50kWh of free electricity monthly to help meet essential household needs. Additionally, indigent customers will be exempt from the R70 service charge and R130 network capacity charge, for a total of R200 in savings every month. 'This is part of our continued efforts to provide relief for the most vulnerable members of our community during these challenging economic times,' said Mangena. Customers are encouraged to register by visiting the Randburg SDC weekdays from 08:00 – 16:00. The application form is also available on the City Power website: Customers should bring along the following documents for registration: ID, City Power prepaid meter number, Proof of income, Proof of address, Proof of Sassa grant (if applicable), Latest 3 months bank statements, and COJ rates and taxes account. Mangena added that customers should take advantage of this opportunity to reduce their monthly electricity costs and ease the financial strain on their household. 'This registration drive is crucial in ensuring that eligible households receive the support they need to maintain access to essential electricity services.' Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
Eyewitness News
2 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
City Power intensifies efforts to cut off illegal electricity connections
JOHANNESBURG - City Power said it has intensified efforts to cut off illegal connections and enforce disconnections on defaulting customers. It said illegal connections cost the utility more than R2.5 billion in financial loss annually. The power utility said it is targeting areas prone to capacity challenges, including informal settlements and backyard rooms, where illegal connections are rife. Spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the disconnections are a means to ensure that customers connect and buy electricity legally. 'Part of what we're trying to do is basically ensure that we get as many electrified as possible. We're also trying to ensure that all those informal settlements are basically put on the free basic electricity book, and we are able to quantify the losses that we have there and that we can also claim from Treasury in terms of the free basic electricity grant.'
The Citizen
2 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
Residents pin hopes on Free Basic Electricity as energy costs increase
Alexandra residents are grappling with the rising electricity costs, and many are turning to City Power's Free Basic Electricity (FBE) programme for relief. Over the weekend, City Power rolled out community activations at Tsutsumani and Alex Mall, following their recent activation at Itlhokomeleng Home for the Aged and Disabled. These drew scores of Alex residents desperate for relief from the financial strain of keeping the lights on. The FBE programme provides 50kWh of free electricity monthly to qualifying low-income households, enough to cover basics like lighting, phone charging, or a small kettle. With City Power's recent announcement of a 12.41% tariff hike for 2025/26, the programme is seen as a much-needed buffer by Alex pensioners struggling to make ends meet. Also read: City Power drives free basic electricity registration in Alexandra on Mandela Day Alex pensioner, Dudu Molatja, was among those at the Itlhokomeleng activation, and like most of the Alex residents on the edge of living in abject poverty, she expressed concerns about the cost of electricity. 'Electricity is expensive, and we are pensioners. When I buy R200 worth of electricity, it still does not last long. I'm hoping FBE will make our units last longer, for at least a month.' Molatja and other residents, including Caroline Seemela, who relies on a R2 000 pension grant, said they spend nearly 25% of it on electricity to stretch it through the month. 'That leaves me with [about] R1 500, and then I have to pay R300 for funeral cover, buy food, and toiletries. It's not enough. So, registering for FBE gives me hope that it will ease the burden,' Molatja shared. Also read: City Power announces interim solution for Mahauzana's electricity woes Seemela described how the rising tariffs have forced her to buy electricity at least four times a month. 'Before the increases, R100 would last for some time, depending on how we use electricity. But now, it can hardly last us a week. This free electricity [FBE] will help a lot.' Both Molatja and Seemela see FBE as an important step to free up funds for other essentials. 'If FBE can save us even a little, it will be better, and we will be happier. That is why we are here, running to register.' As the July 31 deadline for registrations approaches, City Power encourages eligible households to register. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
WATCH: Operation Dudula protests Rosettenville hijacked building and illegal connections
Members of the anti-migrant group operating under the slogan Put South Africa First gather at JC Lucas Park in Rosettenville on Saturday morning to protest what they claim are hijacked buildings and illegal electricity connections in the area. Led by Operation Dudula, protesters carry the movement's banner and wave the South African flag while chanting anti-immigrant slogans through the streets, including Main, Verona, Mabel and Violet. Traffic backed up on Main Street The march causes traffic disruptions along Main Street as the group moves through the area. Officials from Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) and City Power are seen at one of the buildings in question. A strong police presence is also evident, comprising officers from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD). @ Traffic backed up on Main Street The march causes traffic disruptions along Main Street as the group moves through the area. Officials from Johannesburg Property Company (JPC) and City Power are seen at one of the buildings in question. A strong police presence is also evident, comprising officers from the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD). Full story on ♬ original sound – Southern Courier Claims of hijacked buildings and illegal connections Siphiwe Shabangu, a national executive committee member of Operation Dudula, alleges that the building being inspected is hijacked by Congolese nationals and the City of Johannesburg is not collecting any municipal revenue from it. 'This building is hijacked. There is only one South African staying here, and he works as a caretaker,' says Shabangu. 'The City is losing revenue. This building owes R12 million in electricity and R20 million in water.' Shabangu also claims that illegal electricity connections are common in such buildings and that many are owned by the government. 'We don't know who the police are protecting. Even at hospitals, police are present. We suspect they are here to arrest illegal immigrants and help restore order,' he says. Officials refused entry During the protest, police refused entry to both the Operation Dudula marchers and City officials on the premises. 'We are here so that South Africans can occupy this building and the City can collect revenue,' Shabangu says. Tensions with law enforcement Shabangu alleges that a police officer, identified as Captain Mathebula, instructs officers to prevent City Power from carrying out disconnections. @ Siphiwe Shabangu, a national executive committee member of Operation Dudula, alleges that the building being inspected is hijacked by Congolese nationals and the City of Johannesburg is not collecting any municipal revenue from it. 'This building is hijacked. There is only one South African staying here, and he works as a caretaker,' says Shabangu. 'The City is losing revenue. This building owes R12 million in electricity and R20 million in water.' Full story on ♬ original sound – Southern Courier 'We want to know if Captain Mathebula works for City Power or is an electrician to interfere,' says Shabangu. 'Police are stopping officials from disconnecting illegal power lines and restoring hijacked buildings. We want law and order to return.'
eNCA
4 days ago
- Business
- eNCA
City Power loses R2bn a year to illegal connections
JOHANNESBURG - City Power has revealed that just 3% of households in Tshepisong, near Soweto, are paying for electricity. The entity says it's losing around R2-billion annually due to illegal connections across the city. As part of efforts to curb this massive loss in revenue, City Power has launched a targeted operation in Tshepisong to cut off illegal electricity connections and improve service delivery.
