City of Joburg cuts power to Govt offices in R1.4bn debt crackdown

The City of Johannesburg has escalated its aggressive revenue recovery drive, cutting electricity to the Gauteng Department of Health offices in the CBD as part of efforts to recover more than R1.4 billion owed by government departments and entities.

Power was switched off at 45 Commissioner Street on Friday, a building housing several provincial departments. The Department of Health alone owes the city around R200 million, with officials describing the move as a last resort after repeated failed attempts to secure payment.

The disconnection marks a turning point in the metro’s campaign, which began earlier in the day and has already seen tensions flare at other government properties.

Earlier, city officials were met with resistance from security guards at a provincial government building on Simons Street, where a planned disconnection was briefly blocked. The building, owned by Department of Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs (CoGTA), owes more than R600,000 in electricity debt after failing to honour a repayment agreement.

What was expected to be a routine operation quickly turned tense as officials attempted to enforce the cut.

The broader campaign targets government departments that have accumulated debt over months, despite ongoing engagements through intergovernmental channels.

Johannesburg Mayor Dada Morero says the city has exhausted all avenues before taking action.

The city maintains it has followed due process, including billing, dispute resolution mechanisms and payment arrangements, but departments have failed to honour their commitments.

At the Department of Health offices, the sound of generators now fills the building as operations continue on backup power.

Group Head of Revenue, Lufuno Mashau, has warned that once electricity is disconnected, it may remain off until outstanding payments are settled.

While backup generators are currently in use, the city cautions that this is not a sustainable solution due to rising fuel costs.

Despite the crackdown, officials have assured residents that critical services will not be disrupted, with hospitals linked to the department exempt from the power cuts.

The metro says the recovery drive is critical to maintaining service delivery, as it needs the funds to pay bulk suppliers such as Eskom and Rand Water.

With the financial year-end looming, the City of Johannesburg has made it clear: defaulting government entities will be treated like any other customer and more disconnections likely if debts remain unpaid.

We are intensifying efforts to recover over R1.4 billion owed by various government departments and state-owned entities.

This is not a punitive exercise, but a necessary step to safeguard the City’s ability to deliver reliable services to residents and businesses. Sustainable… pic.twitter.com/M6I6WEu9E9

— Executive Mayor of the City Of Joburg (@DadaMorero) March 27, 2026

Written by: Lebohang Ndashe