City power is planning to launch a new hybrid system in April this year not only to combat power outages but to put a stop to criminals posing as City Power technicians. This was announced by Tshifularo Mashaba, City Power’s acting CEO.
The system, which will be online, will allow residents to log their issues independently on the site and get a reference number. They will then be given the details of the technicians who were dispatched by City Power to work on the problem. These will include the technicians’ pictures, names and surnames, and their ID badge. “There have been far too many robberies in the name of City Power because of fake technicians. In the past we have had instances of poor workmanship and we are trying to put a stop to this.”
Mashaba also revealed plans to partner with private security companies and the CPF. She said security officers in their areas would be quicker to respond to calls of theft or vandalism. “We are working on a procurement process to bring security companies on board and partner with CPF patrollers. We are relocating infrastructure from where it is prone to vandalism and we are looking at secure points.”
City Power Manager for the Roodepoort area, Sibusiso Xulu pleaded with residents to assist where they can either as patrollers but by allowing substations on their properties to keep them secure. Ward 97 councillor, Jacques Hoon encouraged community members to work with the police and City Power. “City Power has a long way to go in implementing these systems and we are here to see what we can do to support them in keeping electricity supply steady. City Power is working on creating solutions, the police are doing an excellent job under the circumstances, and the duty is also on you as residents.”
