SAPS and City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) officials arrested a 32-year-old suspect for allegedly attempting to bribe a team leader of Operation #BuyaMthetho in Mayfair on February 15. City of Joburg executive Clr Herman Mashaba said he was informed that the suspect’s property owed the City R900 000 for rates and services.
“When the team arrived at the property, they found that the electricity had been illegally connected. It is alleged that the suspect then offered the team leader R5 000 for him not to disconnect the power supply. A trap was then set up and the suspect was arrested after paying the R5 000 bribe to the official,” he said.
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Mashaba said seven people have already been arrested for illegally reconnecting services that were previously cut off.
“I have instructed JMPD officials to monitor these properties and ensure that services are not illegally reconnected at these sites,” he said.
Operation #BuyaMthetho is a new multi-departmental operation aimed at enforcing by-laws and bringing the rule of law to the City of Johannesburg.
The operation’s main focus is to ensure city by-law are adhered to by all within the City and that the rule of law becomes the order of the day.
Mashaba encouraged people to report any theft, fraud and corruption activities through the 24-hour tip-off hotline 0800 002 587 or by visiting the GFIS offices situated at 48 Ameshoff Street in Braamfontein.
