Joburg cuts power to government departments

THE City of Johannesburg has escalated its battle against mounting debt by cutting electricity to government departments that have failed to pay municipal bills, in a move that signals a harder line on state institutions as arrears climb past R1.3 billion.

- KARABO NGOEPE

CITY Power has cut electricity to buildings and government departments owing money. I Supplied City Power

(Supplied City Power)

The disconnections, led by Mayor Dada Morero, marka shift in enforcement, with the city insisting that government entities will now be treated no differently from ordinary residents and businesses when it comes to nonpayment. Data tabled before the council shows that City Power is owed nearly R754 million by government departments, while Johannesburg Water is owed more than R600m.

Together, this pushes outstanding government debt beyond R1.3bn.

But the problem runs far deeper. Johannesburg’s total debtors’ book, covering households, businesses and institutions, has surged to roughly R71bn, underscoring a widespread culture of nonpayment that is straining the metros finances. Morero said the city had little choice but to act. “All customers, including government institutions, have a responsibility to honour their municipal obligations in full and on time,” he said during a site visit to one of the disconnection points.