City Power says it is working around the clock to clear the backlog but is struggling to cope as new faults are logged. As the cold and wet conditions make landfall across Johannesburg, the City’s ailing electricity network is buckling under “significant pressure” from increased demand. He said City Power “will not compromise the safety of employees, contractors or the public” to speed up repairs in dangerous conditions. According to Julia Fish, director of JoburgCAN, the power outages are exposing years of inadequate maintenance and investment in the electricity network. Approximately R28.3 billion has been allocated to City Power for operating expenditure, alongside a R6.7-billion capital programme over the medium term.