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Electricity pylons.
The Director of the Centre of Sociological Research and Practice at the University of Johannesburg, Dr. Trevor Ngwane, says many South Africans are under economic pressure, making it difficult for them to afford paying for electricity services.
[WATCH] University of Johannesburg’s Dr. Trevor Ngwane says the government needs to change its approach and embrace the fact that electricity belongs to all people in SA. This week, Tshepisong residents went on a wild protest after City Power cut electricity supply in their area. pic.twitter.com/POwDmumceR
— SABC News (@SABCNews) July 26, 2025
This leads to illegal electricity connections.
Scores of City Power officials accompanied by South African Police Service (SAPS) and Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) officers have removed illegal electricity connections in Tshepisong, west of Johannesburg.
Residents have blocked roads with rocks and burning tyres in protest. Dr. Ngwane says struggling communities bear the brunt of the electricity challenges.
“This is a structural problem it’s a question of energy is a basic necessity and its not a question of choice, people just need to have energy. But how do we provide energy to meet people’s needs. At the moment the approach by the government, Eskom, City Power and all the authorities is a wrong approach,” says Dr. Ngwane.
[WATCH] University of Johannesburg’s Dr. Trevor Ngwane says the government needs to change its approach and embrace the fact that electricity belongs to all people in SA. This week, Tshepisong residents went on a wild protest after City Power cut electricity supply in their area. pic.twitter.com/POwDmumceR
— SABC News (@SABCNews) July 26, 2025
Ngwane says it’s a business model founded on profit and capitalist liberalism.
“This is not working hence all the protesting. The problems with payment are symptoms of a model which is not applicable to our country,” he adds.
VIDEO | Tshepisong Protest | Tshepisong residents protest over electricity disconnection: Dr. Trevor Ngwane
