Latest news with #IsaacMangena
The Citizen
a day 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
3 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
5 days ago
- General
- The Citizen
City Power announces interim solution for Mahauzana's electricity woes
Residents of Mahauzana Flats in River Park who are grappling with persistent electricity challenges may soon benefit from an interim solution announced by City Power. The utility's General Manager of Public Relations and Communication, Isaac Mangena, clarified that Mahauzana is not a formally registered customer, and the flats, which are part of an unfinished Gauteng Provincial Government project, have been illegally occupied, leading residents to rely on unauthorised connections. Mangena emphasised that City Power is not obligated to supply electricity until the Department formally proclaims the settlement and agrees to cover billing. However, acknowledging the ongoing impasse, the utility has come up with a temporary plan to stabilise the area's electricity supply and reduce strain on the broader River Park community. Also read: City Power leaves Riverpark residents in the dark 'This solution involves the temporary installation of a bulk electricity supply to Mahauzana Flats through a dedicated mini substation and between four to six pillar boxes per block of flats,' he noted. 'Each pillar box will contain a protection system and three-phase prepaid meters for each block. This setup will allow for sub-metering, enabling residents to manage their electricity usage. It is crucial to note that internal house wiring and the installation of compliant distribution boards will remain the responsibility of the residents.' Mangena warned that any illegal connections or non-vending could prompt City Power to disconnect power to the flats or the entire area. 'City Power believes that this is the most viable short-term solution to stabilise the network, curb electricity theft and non-payment, and reduce the power outages that continue to inconvenience other residents of River Park,' Mangena shared. The interim solution aims to address chronic power disruptions while formalisation discussions with the Gauteng Provincial Government continue. Follow us on our Whatsapp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates and inspiration!
The Citizen
6 days ago
- Business
- The Citizen
City Power refutes claims its headquarters raided by Hawks
Reports emerged the Hawks are probing City Power for alleged corruption and financial mismanagement totalling more than R500 million. City Power has refuted claims that its headquarters were raided by the Hawks. This comes after reports emerged on Friday that the crime-fighting unit raided City Power's Johannesburg headquarters as part of an investigation into alleged corruption and financial mismanagement involving irregular payments and inflated contracts totalling more than R500 million. Alleged corruption According to the reports, City Power's executive management is also being investigated for allegedly allowing more than R335 million to be looted from its maintenance budget in six months – from May 2023 to October of that year – on frivolous purchases that included air fresheners, pens, trolley mops and copper cables that officers claim were not delivered. ALSO READ: City Power employees among seven arrested for copper theft Hawks raid City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena confirmed that the Directorate of Investigating Priority Crimes also known as the Hawks visited its premises to deliver a formal request for information about the business. 'There was no raid, no confiscation of documents, files, or IT equipment. And there was no interrogation. 'We can, however, confirm that members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) did visit City Power and delivered a formal request for information (RFI) to the business,' Mangena said. Mangena said City Power will cooperate fully with this 'lawful request' by the Hawks. Internal control processes Last year, the Auditor-General's report into City Power's affairs flagged its internal control processes. The report recommended an investigation, which was concluded in March 2025. City Power's investigation revealed collusion between employees and service providers, serious breaches in procurement and payment processes, fraudulent job numbers, and duplicate approvals. This led to City Power suffering significant financial losses. ALSO READ: City Power achieves unqualified audit, hits 75% of targets Dismissals The power utility has since dismissed guilty employees and laid criminal complaints. 'Out of all cases that have already been finalised and those that are still ongoing, we discovered that 12 electricians, eight security officers, five team leaders, and several senior managers had been implicated in serious criminal conduct such as cable theft, fraud and soliciting bribe,' City Power said. 'While we are aggressively fighting the scourge of theft and vandalism, we discovered that several employees, including team leaders, electricians and even our own contracted security officers, were involved in stealing and destroying essential infrastructure. 'We have also uncovered that the challenge we have been battling with surrounding the shortages of materials was not only related to heightened demand for replacement equipment, but that our own employees were simply handing these tools to contractors from the stores and supposedly benefiting from those transactions,' the utility said. ALSO READ: City Power and Joburg have not paid debt to Eskom, Ramokgopa says [VIDEO]
Eyewitness News
6 days ago
- Business
- Eyewitness News
City Power confirms Hawks visited its HQ but insists it was not a raid
One of the contracts under investigation involves an alleged inflated payment of R100 million for electricity infrastructure that was initially quoted at just R8 million. City Power spokesperson, Isaac Mangena, clarified that the Hawks' visit did not constitute a formal search-and-seizure operation. "There was no raid, there was no confiscation of any documents, of any IT equipment or even files and there was no interrogation of any of our executives. We can, however, confirm that members of the Hawks did visit City Power and delivered a formal request for information to the business. We will, as City Power, cooperate fully with this lawful request."
