Children’s Memorial Institute warns it may close as power crisis drags on

The Children’s Memorial Institute (CMI) says it is still without electricity a week after the building it shares with several NPOs was cut off due to a dispute between the Gauteng Department of Health and the City of Johannesburg.

Although the Department of Health is responsible for paying the municipal bill, the power remains off, leaving essential services for vulnerable children at risk.

The outage, reportedly triggered by an alleged R41.5-million debt owed to City Power, came just over a year after a separate interruption in June 2024 caused by a cable fault.

Dr Dee Blackie, CMI board member, says despite assurances from City Power that the issue would be resolved within hours, no progress has been made.

Blackie adds that City Power’s spokesperson stopped engaging with the institute, forcing them to seek pro bono legal assistance and file an urgent High Court application to restore electricity.

She explains that court proceedings were delayed when the city’s legal team arrived unprepared, prompting the judge to call parties back for a further hearing at 10am today (Wednesday).

With the building’s generator running on its last reserves and no diesel left, Blackie warned they may be forced to shut their doors if power is not restored urgently.

"...absolutely no diesel left. We literally are on fumes. If today doesn't go well, then we're going to have to make a decision on whether we are able to keep the building open, which I don't think we are."

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena was unavailable for comment at the time of publication.

To listen to Dr Dee Blackie in conversation with 702’s Bongani Bingwa, click the audio below: