Bribe demanding ELM contract workers, nabbed
A trap was set for the corrupt contract workers and their shenanigans were caught on video.
The FF Plus, in collaboration with the company that cuts off electricity due to non-payment in the Emfuleni local municipality, arrested two of this company’s employees who allegedly demanded a bribe from a businessman in Vanderbijlpark not to cut his power.
“These two workers apparently also demanded bribes from other residents and businesses to turn on their power,” says Cllr. Gerda Senekal of the FF Plus in Emfuleni.
She explained that the FF Plus started an investigation two years ago to catch these contact workers, after residents and business people approached the party for help.
A businessman from whom a bribe was demanded, together with the party and the company set a trap for the workers last Thursday.
They initially asked for R10 000 not to cut off the businessman’s power to his premises, but later settled for R4 000. The whole incident was recorded on video.
The municipality is investigating the extent of the case.
According to information, more people from whom bribes were asked have come forward.
“We request residents not to pay bribes to any person because of an overdue account, but rather to enter into an installment agreement with the municipality.
“Residents who pay bribes to have their power illegally connected or not cut off can face a hefty fine from the municipality,” warns Cllr. Senekal.
“Emfuleni is already struggling to pay his monthly electricity bill to Eskom and cannot afford for residents to plunge him further into debt with illegal power connections,” she concluded.
