The City of Johannesburg has disconnected electricity at the High Point flats and the popular Summit nightclub in Hillbrow after discovering that the properties collectively owe about R25 million in unpaid electricity bills.
City of Johannesburg Acting Mayor Sithembiso Zungu confirmed the disconnections while speaking to Newsnote during a law-enforcement operation in the area on Tuesday.
Zungu said the Summit nightclub is operating in a building whose plans do not comply with the City’s Emergency Management Services requirements and currently owes the City R2.6 million.
“We have been going to different buildings some hijacked, some non-compliant, and some owing the City money. Now we are at Summit, which owes us R2.6 million,” Zungu said.
He added that the High Point skyscraper has been illegally invaded and owes the City approximately R23 million in unpaid electricity bills.
“High Point owes us R23 million, and besides the non-payment, that building is believed to be hijacked,” he said.
The City of Johannesburg said it is tightening bylaw enforcement as part of its high-impact service delivery programme, targeting illegal occupations, non-compliant buildings and outstanding municipal debt.
