Two City Power contractors were arrested on Wednesday for soliciting a R2,000 bribe from a customer.
The bribe was allegedly sought in exchange for not disconnecting the client after his meter was found to have been bypassed.
The arrests happened at the customer’s place in Olifantsvlei, next to Kibler Park, south of Johannesburg.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the arrests were made after a joint sting operation between the entity’s risk management officials and the Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD).
“City Power welcomes the arrest of two contractors for attempting to solicit a bribe from an unsuspecting customer in Olifantsvlei.
“The arrests were made following a joint sting operation with JMPD,” Mangena said.
He said the two contractors visited a client pretending to be conducting meter auditing on behalf of the entity.
“After inspecting the meter, they claimed that it had been bypassed, and threatened to disconnect it on the spot.
“The pair demanded R2,000 from the customer in exchange for keeping their lights on. The customer agreed to pay that amount.
“The two were apprehended and taken to the police station to effect the arrest.”
Customer could be arrested too
He said the customer also faces possible arrest for agreeing to pay a bribe.
Mangena said City Power officials did some investigations, and discovered that the meter was indeed bridged.
He said a case of extortion, bribery and corruption has been opened against the contractors at the Mondeor police station.
“City Power would like to caution customers against paying bribes to contractors or any City Power official.
“Some of the contractors demand payment from customers when carrying out duties sanctioned by the entity, such as repairs.
“We urge customers to make no such payment, but rather report those involved on 0800-00-2587 or the 24 hours hotline 011-490-7553.”
