The Mayor alongside the MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services, Cllr Michael Sun expressed their concern on issues such as loadshedding and the theft and damage to electrical infrastructure. 

 

According to the mayor, City Power experienced 122 days of loadshedding with 2,175 incidents of theft and vandalism between 1 July 2021 to 11 November 2022 , adding that the city loses on average of two mini-substations each day.

“This is not the work of amateur criminals, but it is criminality committed by highly armed and resourced syndicates”- Mpho Phalatse

Speaking on the theft and vandalism of electrical infrastructure, the Mayor expressed that her office will write to the Gauteng Police Commissioner, Lieutenant-General Elias Mawela once again to dedicate resources to fix this problem.

Phalatse expressed that load shedding as well as the loss of customers consuming electricity via City Power, have contributed to the City’s loss of revenue. 

The mayor didn’t shy away from the matter of her possibly being removed from office, stating that “we are soldiering on, because it is not about a legacy project that will be left behind by the Multi-Party Government, but it is about ensuring that there is a Joburg that we can be inherited by generations to come”. 

Phalatse further emphasised City Power’s 

Sustainable Energy Strategy, adding that it plans to secure additional capacity from various energy sources.

MMC Sun, also took the opportunity to address the increase in the damage and theft of electrical infrastructure adding that lives are under threat as criminals are taking drastic measures. 

“These thieves live among us in our communities”- MMC Michael Sun

Sun expressed that safety strategies are being implemented although they can’t be said to the public as of yet because it gives criminals leverage. 

With the Mayor set to face three motions of no-confidence tabled against her, she has expressed her confidence that she will remain in her position, adding that “in each day, we trust that we’ll live another day”.

Phalatse took the opportunity to debunk some rumours as well.

When asked whether there is tension between herself and John Steenhuisen, as well as the whether she received “a bag with a note” from Joburg Speaker, Colleen Makhubele stating that she should “pack her bags and leave”, Phalatse denied this.

She further expressed that she was not aware of any tension between herself and the leader of the DA and that she did receive a bag, although she did not receive a note.

The Johannesburg City Council Meeting is currently underway, where the fate of the mayor will be decided.