The City of Johannesburg has dismissed reports that electricity was cut off at Luthuli House, the headquarters of the African National Congress (ANC) in Johannesburg’s CBD, over an alleged unpaid electricity bill of R365 000.
Multiple reports claimed that the ANC had failed to settle its municipal account, prompting the city to disconnect power at the building.
However, acting spokesperson for the City of Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero, Khathutshelo Mulaudzi, said the claims were incorrect.
“The City of Johannesburg confirms that Luthuli House has not been disconnected. The property did not form part of the city’s disconnection programme for this month, and no city-led electricity cut-off occurred at that site, as claimed,” Moludzi said.
She added that if any media house has information suggesting otherwise, the city requires specific evidence, including dates, times, point-of-supply or meter numbers, and photographic proof, to allow verification with operational teams. She also urged that any inaccurate reporting be corrected.
The clarification comes amid heightened scrutiny of the city’s aggressive credit control measures under Project Lokisa, which targets chronic municipal defaulters.
Previously, The Star reported that the city was intensifying action against its worst defaulters, warning that some residents risk having their entire electricity infrastructure, including meters, removed for persistent non-payment.
In September, the city identified more than 1 300 residential customers owing a combined R978 million in municipal debt. These customers have failed to pay their accounts for more than a year and face possible removal of electricity meters after refusing to engage with the city or make payment arrangements.
The Star
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