By: Fordsburg Independent Reporter
Johannesburg’s electricity crackdown has arrived at the doorsteps of Mayfair and Fordsburg, with City Power cutting off households and businesses accused of non-payment and illegal connections.
City officials say more than 1,300 residential customers across Joburg collectively owe nearly R978 million, with some accounts ignored for over a year. The City has now escalated to level three disconnections — the harshest measure — which involves physically removing meters, cables, and conductors from properties.
“Once infrastructure is removed, residents will have to reapply as new customers if they want to reconnect,” explained metro finance spokesperson Kgamanyane Maphologela. “This comes only after months of notices, reminders, and lower-level disconnections.”
Mayfair in the spotlight
In Mayfair, City Power teams disconnected a property with an outstanding debt of more than R1.1 million, after finding that the owner had illegally reconnected to the grid following a previous cut-off.
A private day-care centre in the same area, owing more than R1.4 million, was also targeted. Investigations revealed that the centre, a neighbouring apartment block, and a mosque were all being supplied through an illegal connection from another property. The property owner admitted to the tampering, saying, “many others in the area do the same.” He has since committed to making payment arrangements.
Business and faith spaces impacted
Small businesses and religious institutions are among those directly affected. A Fordsburg shopkeeper, who asked not to be named, told the Fordsburg Independent:
“We understand the city needs to collect revenue, but when places like mosques and day-care centres are disconnected, it hurts the whole community. People rely on these spaces every day.”
Another resident of Mayfair, said she supports the crackdown:
“Illegal connections are dangerous. We’ve had power trips and even small fires in our street because of people stealing electricity. The city must act, but they should also educate residents about legal options.”
Crackdown sparks last-minute payments
The campaign is also yielding dramatic results. During a City Power operation in Industria on 19 September, a business owner under threat of disconnection rushed to pay R1.9 million on the spot. The company had owed R1.5 million, leaving its account now in credit by R400,000.
Hursthill Service Delivery Centre’s customer service manager, Nokuthula Nxumalo, said these last-minute payments are becoming common:
“It shows our strategy is working, but it also highlights a worrying culture of only paying when faced with immediate disconnection.”
What comes next
City Power confirmed that enforcement operations will continue in Mayfair, Fordsburg, and other parts of Johannesburg in the coming weeks as it seeks to recover lost revenue and stamp out electricity theft.
For many residents, the crackdown has become a wake-up call. As one Fordsburg elder put it while watching City Power trucks in the neighbourhood:
“The city is serious this time. Whether we like it or not, people will have to pay for what they use.”
