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City Power steps up payments on R900 million owed to contractors

Published

City Power said it is paying more to contractors and service providers after talks with protesters outside its Reuven head office in Johannesburg. The utility has made partial payments of about R200 million since it introduced financial ring-fencing on 1 October.

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the new arrangement gives the utility greater control over its revenue. He said it should improve how fast the utility pays. The utility will pay the oldest verified invoices first as funds become available.

Mangena said the amount owed keeps changing. In his words: "This is actually a moving target with the contractors because contractors continue to work and submit invoices on a daily basis."

National Treasury and the Auditor-General require payment within a 30 day cycle.

Key facts

Who
Isaac Mangena (City Power spokesperson); City Power (utility that owes payments to contractors)
What
City Power said it was stepping up payments to contractors owed about R900 million, following an engagement with protesting contractors and subcontractors. The utility said it had made partial payments totalling about R200 million since introducing financial ring-fencing on 1 October.
When
24 October 2026
Where
Reuven, Johannesburg
Status
Reported

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