A Curro school in Noordwyk, Midrand, has been disconnected by City Power after allegedly building up more than R9.3 million in unpaid electricity charges.

The disconnection took place on Tuesday as part of City Power’s revenue recovery campaign against major defaulters in Johannesburg, according to IOL, citing The Star. The Curro school electricity debt forms part of a wider push by the municipal utility to recover money owed by large customers.

City Power Targets Major Electricity Defaulters

City Power said the private school was one of four high-value customers that collectively owe R38.1 million. The utility said the individual debts ranged from R5 million to R13 million.

The operation involved City Power’s Revenue Protection Unit, security staff and officers from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department. City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the debt had built up since 2023, despite repeated attempts to engage customers and recover the money.

Acting City Power CEO Charles Tlouane said the scale of the unpaid account was concerning because the institution operates in the private education sector. He said such arrears place “undue pressure” on City Power’s ability to maintain and upgrade infrastructure.

The Curro school electricity debt also highlights the utility’s broader concern about non-payment by large institutions and commercial users. City Power says unpaid accounts limit its ability to respond to breakdowns, maintain equipment, reduce outages and invest in Johannesburg’s ageing electricity network.

Revenue Recovery Comes Amid Joburg Debt ressure

The latest disconnection follows other enforcement action in Johannesburg. In April, the City of Johannesburg also moved against government departments over unpaid municipal bills, with reports showing City Power was owed nearly R754 million by government departments.

The city’s financial pressure also sits within a wider electricity debt dispute with Eskom. In May 2026, Eskom said the City of Johannesburg and City Power owed more than R5.2 billion in arrears, excluding a further current account amount due in June.

Eskom later extended the Promotion of Administrative Justice Act consultation process by 30 days. The process relates to possible action over the Johannesburg and City Power electricity account.

Curro response and next steps

The available reports did not include a response from Curro on the Noordwyk disconnection or the alleged R9.3 million arrears.

City Power has warned that customers who keep defaulting could face enforcement action, including disconnection. It also said all users, including private schools, businesses and other major electricity consumers, must settle accounts in full and on time.

The Curro school electricity debt case is therefore likely to draw attention from other large power users in Johannesburg. It also reinforces City Power’s message that large unpaid accounts affect both service delivery and paying customers.