Johannesburg residents and business owners must now take full responsibility for the service cables connecting their properties to City Power’s infrastructure, following a policy clarification by the utility.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena explained that the entity is reminding customers of an existing rule outlined in the City of Johannesburg’s electricity supply bylaws. After initial installation, these service cables—from the pole box or metering point to the building—belong to the customer, not City Power. Property owners are required to handle any repairs, replacements, or reinstallations at their own expense, particularly in cases of theft, damage, or vandalism.
Mangena highlighted the growing issue of cable theft, especially in non-populated areas and near informal settlements, where stolen cables are often reused for illegal connections. He noted that City Power has incurred significant financial losses replacing these cables, prompting the awareness campaign to enforce customer accountability.
The service cable is defined as the critical connection between City Power’s infrastructure (up to the external box or pole) and the customer’s property. City Power manages high- or medium-voltage installations up to that point, but any issues beyond it fall to the owner.
To ensure safety, replacements must use cables meeting specific technical standards. Customers should contact City Power for the required specifications on type and quality before purchasing. Installation must be performed by a certified electrician, followed by a Certificate of Compliance (COC) confirming adherence to regulations. Power will only be re-energized after City Power verifies the COC and conducts its own testing to confirm compliance and safety.
Mangena addressed concerns about potential risks, such as substandard or incorrect wiring leading to electrical faults, fires, or outages affecting neighboring properties. He emphasized that City Power’s approval process and inspections prevent unsafe setups. Using substandard cables—often bought cheaply from nearby suppliers—has contributed to fire risks in some areas. Customers attempting to bypass standards or use fraudulent COCs face consequences, including insurance issues in case of fires, potential damage to household appliances, and legal penalties for illegal work.
Mangena strongly advised against illegal practices, warning that improper installations could damage equipment like televisions or create broader hazards.
In response to questions about corruption, Mangena acknowledged ongoing challenges, including possible involvement of internal staff, contractors, and security personnel in cable theft, vandalism, bypasses, and electricity theft. He said City Power has intensified efforts to address this, with a specialized team recently arresting contractors soliciting bribes (including demands around R46,000) to avoid disconnections or enable meter bypasses. Several staff members have been arrested in recent months for related offenses. He appealed to residents not to participate in such criminality, noting that both parties could face penalties.
On leadership, Mangena confirmed the recent resignation of City Power’s longest-serving CEO, who had been with the entity for 10 years, including four as CEO, and contributed significantly to transforming it into a future-ready institution. The board accepted the resignation, and there is no leadership vacuum. A long-term electrician within City Power, has been appointed as acting CEO while the city manager’s office continues the process to appoint a permanent replacement. Mangena said internal talent is well-prepared to maintain operations and keep the lights on in Johannesburg.
The policy serves as a reminder rather than a new change, aimed at reducing losses, promoting safety, and encouraging communities to protect their infrastructure. Customers needing assistance with specifications or processes are encouraged to reach out to City Power directly.