​​The City of Johannesburg is tightening the screws on its worst defaulters, who now face the removal of their entire electricity infrastructure – including meters – under its aggressive credit control drive, Project Lokisa.

More than 1300 residential customers owing a combined R978 million have been flagged for persistent non-payment. These households have ignored their municipal accounts for over a year and failed to approach the City to make payment arrangements.

Kgamanyane Maphologela, Director for Communications and Stakeholder Engagement in Group Finance, said the City had exhausted all avenues to get these customers to pay.

“All identified customers have already received level 3 disconnection notices, warning them of the action the City intends to take, including removing electricity infrastructure from their properties. If they fail to come forward within the stipulated period, the City will act," Maphologela explained.

He added that a level 3 disconnection is the final step after an extended process, which includes pre-termination notices, repeated reminders, and disconnections, only for some customers to illegally reconnect themselves.

A level 3 disconnection means removing service connections such as cables, conductors, and meters. Once this has been carried out, affected customers will have to apply afresh for electricity services if they wish to be reconnected to the grid.

Maphologela urged residents in arrears to settle their accounts without delay or visit their nearest revenue Customer Service Centre to make payment arrangements. Failure to do so could lead to disconnections and possible legal action.

22/09/2025

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