City Power’s risk control team recently arrested two men in Ferndale after receiving a tip-off about suspects who had tried to trick a customer into paying a reconnection fee.
City Power’s Hloni Motloung said a subsequent City Power investigation found that the suspected fraudulent contractors had disconnected the customer’s power supply. “The customer reported the suspects to City Power officials, who apprehended the suspects who were in possession of three electricity meters and a City Power reflective vest,” he said.
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The suspects were taken to the Randburg Police Station and are due to appear in court. “The energy utility would like to appeal to all its customers not to make any cash payments to contractors or officials requesting money for outstanding electricity bills. Instead, customers are encouraged to only make payments at the City of Joburg customer walk-in centres or at the utility’s offices.”
Customers should never make cash or electronic payments to a City Power official or contractor at their property.
The launch of Operation Clean-up, led by the utility’s board chairman, Reverend Frank Chikane, encouraged customers to report crime or corruption by City Power officials and contractors. “Reverend Chikane warned customers who colluded with officials and service providers with the goal of carrying out unauthorised transactions that they were liable for criminal prosecution.”
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He said that because of the anti-corruption drive, City Power was able to blow the lid on corrupt officials who had tried to defraud unsuspecting customers.
“All City Power contractors are expected to carry their identification cards with them at all times, and each card has an expiration date,” Sicelo Xulu, City Power’s managing director, said.
“Customers should be aware that contract officials are not permitted to request cash payments for unpaid bills.”
Payments should be made only at City Power offices and customers must report any cases immediately. They can report fraud and corruption, or suspicious officials, to the tip-off anonymous hotline.
Details: anticorruption@tip-offs.com; 080 000 2587.
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