Checked 27 October 2026
Where the facts in this claim come from
Every fact on the claim page, with the sources we used. We save a copy of each source on the day we read it.
What does the evidence show?
Why it is Verified
Lost electricity is power the City bought but could not sell, so it earned no money for it. The Auditor-General says R3.9 billion of the loss came mainly from theft, tampered or damaged meters, billing errors and customers without meters. It calls the loss material, which means big enough to matter.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 29 May 2026.
Where to look: Slide 7, 'Other matters for the attention of users' (consolidated column): 'Material electricity losses of (30%) – City Power' R5,7bn; 'R3,9bn relates to non-technical losses primarily attributable to theft, bypassing of meters, illegal calibration of meters, damaged meters, faulty voltage, faulty transformers, billing errors and customers without meters'. Slide 11 (group consolidated figures): 'Electricity losses (above norm) 30% (5,7bn)'.
Auditor-General of South Africa. Published 24 June 2026.
Where to look: Printed page 199 (PDF page 203), City of Johannesburg dashboard, box 'Distribution losses over administration': 'Electricity losses R18,97bn (4 years more than 10% norm)'. Printed page 200 (PDF page 204): 'Persistent electricity distribution losses through City Power Johannesburg'. Printed page 76 (PDF page 80): '2021-22 (first year of current administration)'.
What did the council do, and when?
Who ran the council
Mayor: Dada Morero (ANC). Council run by ANC, EFF, PA, IFP. From Aug 2024 to present.
The Citizen. Published 16 August 2024.
Where to look: Paragraph 1 ('ANC regional chairperson Dada Morero has been elected as mayor of the City of Johannesburg for the second time'); paragraph 2 (189 votes to 60)
Daily Maverick. Published 28 January 2026.
Where to look: Body paragraph 9: 'The local coalition comprises the ANC, EFF, PA, IFP and several smaller parties.'
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