By Johnathan Paoli
The DA in Johannesburg has called for action over a deepening crisis at City Power, warning that the utility is “rapidly deteriorating” as contractors refuse to carry out repairs due to non-payment, leaving thousands of residents without electricity for days.
In a statement issued on Sunday, DA Johannesburg Caucus Leader Belinda Kayser-Echeozonjoku said the situation had reached a critical point, with widespread outages and a collapse in communication compounding residents’ frustrations.
ALSO READ: ActionSA names Mary Phadi as Nkangala mayoral candidate
“The DA in Johannesburg is deeply concerned that City Power is rapidly deteriorating before the eyes of residents, as prolonged outages and a complete breakdown in communication and accountability has become the norm,” Kayser-Echeozonjoku said.
She said that multiple communities across the city have been left in the dark for extended periods, with little to no feedback from the utility.
“Across multiple areas in Johannesburg, residents have now been left without electricity for between 4 to 6 days. Councillors are being ignored on official communication platforms, with repeated requests for updates met only with generic, non-informative responses,” she said.
The DA said the situation had been exacerbated by reports that contractors are refusing to undertake repair work because City Power has failed to settle outstanding payments.
The party also accused the utility of blocking oversight efforts, citing unanswered information requests dating back more than two years.
ALSO READ: City Power responds to Diepkloof hostel protest over power outage
“In November 2023, the DA submitted requests in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act (PAIA), seeking transparency on contractor appointments, invoices, quality control measures, and payment records. We also requested the process followed in all senior appointments,” she said.
“These requests were received and acknowledged, but despite public money being spent we have yet to receive the requested information in writing. This blatantly undermines transparency and actively blocks public representatives from fulfilling their constitutional oversight role,” she added.
Kayser-Echeozonjoku said the DA would escalate the matter, including possible legal and investigative interventions, to force accountability.
She added that the party would also push for investigations into infrastructure security and possible collusion.
“Residents deserve answers. More importantly, they deserve electricity,” she said.
The intervention comes amid mounting evidence of financial strain and governance challenges at City Power.
Fuel supplier African Rhino Fuels has launched legal action against the utility, alleging non-payment for 250,000 litres of diesel delivered in July 2025.
Reports indicate the entity has fallen behind on multiple supplier payments, with combined arrears estimated at R1.3 billion.
City Power has also struggled to meet its obligations to Eskom, previously agreeing to a R3.2 billion repayment plan after the power utility threatened supply interruptions to Johannesburg over outstanding debt that once stood at R4.9 billion.
ALSO READ: City of Joburg shuts down non-compliant inner-city hotel during enforcement operation
The crisis is further compounded by a deteriorating financial position.
The utility reported a deficit of R864 million in the second quarter of the 2025/26 financial year, a sharp reversal from a R5 million surplus the previous year, driven by rising bulk electricity costs and poor revenue collection.
City Power chairman Makhosini Kharodi has warned that without an additional R4 billion allocation for bulk electricity purchases, Johannesburg faces the risk of widespread outages.
Against this backdrop, the DA argues that the refusal by contractors to carry out work due to non-payment is a visible symptom of a deeper institutional crisis, one now directly affecting service delivery.
Isaac Mangena, spokesperson for City Power, has been contacted to request comment.
