City Power employee busted for bribe
Employee suspended until the outcome of a disciplinary hearing.
A City Power employee and a contractor was arrested in a sting operation on Friday (4 December) for soliciting a bribe from a customer.
City Power spokesperson Hloni Motloung confirmed the arrest and said it was related to a customer who was disconnected as he failed to pay his municipal account. The employee allegedly solicited the bribe in exchange for illegally reconnected his electricity after the employee visited City Power’s head office in Booysens to apply for re-connection. Motloung said residents everywhere should be aware of these cases, as customers often visit the Booysens premises to sort out account issues.
“The arrest of these employees follows a tip-off City Power received about the bribe and illegal re-connection.
“The customer had just bought the house in question of which the account was not paid up,” Motloung said.
He said the employees will appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s Court in due course. City Power has embarked on a campaign to crack down on fraud and corruption, which has seen a number of employees and contractors being arrested and suspended.
“Corruption and theft are impediments that hamper our ability to provide a world-class service to the residents of Johannesburg,” City Power managing director Sicelo Xulu said about the campaign.
“We wish to send out a strong message that there is no room for corruption at City Power.”
According to Xulu theft and corruption are not only crimes against the entity but also against ratepayers in the city, who expect and deserve a corruption-fee, efficient utility.
Motloung said the arrested employee will remain suspended until the outcome of disciplinary action taken against him.
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