Second employee dismissed after being found guilty of misconduct

A second employee at City Power has been dismissed from work after allegedly colluding with contractors and issuing payments of invoices for work not done at the Eldorado Substation.

This follows after a manager at the entity was dismissed on 1 March after being found guilty of misconduct and colluding with contractors on the construction of Eldorado Substation and the refurbishment of Hopefield Substation.

Both employees were suspended when City Power initiated the investigation into their involvement. They were found guilty of colluding with a local engineering company which received payments exceeding R88 million for incomplete work on the respective substations. The company allegedly secured the contract through a fraudulent bank guarantee which led the City to believe that they had the balance sheet to handle the project.

Two directors of the company were arrested in 2017. The case was withdrawn from the court roll.

MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services Nico de Jager said corruption was public enemy number one which cannot be allowed.

“When acts of corruption take place, it undermines the hard work of honest officials in the City and honest taxpaying residents who expect services delivered in their communities. As we continue our drive to eliminate corruption in the City, we ensure that we create professional public services that service residents with pride,” said de Jager.

De Jager encouraged people to report any fraud and corruption activities through the 24-hour tip-off hotline.

Details: 080 000 2587 or visit the GFIS offices situated at 48 Ameshoff Street in Braamfontein.

What should the government do to recover lost money through irregularities?

Related articles:

https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/248126/city-power-employee-dismissed-found-guilty-misconduct/

https://www.citizen.co.za/rosebank-killarney-gazette/247812/city-power-warns-criminals-pretending-employees/