Bogus City Power representatives are accused of stealing electricity meter boxes around Randburg and Linden areas and re-selling them to unsuspecting contractors.
This, according to community liaison officer (CLO) Stan Ntombela, of Amahlo Consulting.
“Residents in Randburg and Linden are warned to lock their meter boxes and be vigilant of people lurking around their residences. We have learned that they are selling those meter boxes to some of the contractors,” Ntombela warned.
Amahlo Consulting is an undercover service provider contracted to City Power and works with police to eradicate cable theft, stolen meter boxes and vandalising of substations.
He explained that these perpetrators, dressed in City Power uniforms, usually go around the areas, asking residents to open their meter boxes for inspection.
“Residents need to lock their meter boxes. These bogus representatives will pretend that they want to check meter boxes for certain reasons. Residents should demand that they present actual proof of where they come from,” Ntombela advised.
It is suspected that they go to substations and switch-off power and the unsuspecting residents will assume it is load shedding.
“These persons know that, when power is off, your alarm system will not work. They use this opportunity to rob the unsuspecting residents. We urge people to watch out for suspicious persons pretending to represent City Power.”
City Power spokesperson, Sydney Mphahlele, confirmed that City Power is in partnership with Amahlo Consulting.
“Amahlo Consulting is running a campaign to create awareness with regard to a new trend developing in Randburg and Linden areas whereby people masquerading as City Power employees, steal electricity meters of City Power customers from pillar boxes,” he said.
Mphahlele said City Power encourages residents to report any suspicious activity or persons who could be involved in theft of meter boxes to City Power or the nearest police station.
Details: Amahlo Consulting 083 229 5584; City Power 011 490 7627;7900;7911;7553;7504.
