Joburg targets electricity defaulters with meter removals

By Thapelo Molefe

The City of Johannesburg has announced that it will remove electricity meters from more than 1,300 households that have defaulted on their municipal accounts, collectively owing nearly R1 billion.

The move forms part of the City’s credit control programme, Project Lokisa, which targets persistent defaulters who have not paid their accounts for over a year. 

According to the City, the identified customers owe R978 million and face the removal of all electricity infrastructure, including meters, unless they make urgent payment arrangements.

“All identified customers have already received level 3 disconnection notices, which inform them of the action the City intends to take,” said Kgamanyane Maphologela, Director of Communications and Stakeholder Engagement in the Group Finance Department on Wednesday. 

“Should they fail to come forward within the stipulated period, the City will act.”

Level 3 disconnection represents the most severe stage of enforcement. It follows repeated pre-termination notices,