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Power disconnected from Vuleka SSB High School, which owes City Power R3.7 million
- A Johannesburg-based private secondary school that owes the city of Johannesburg millions of rand due to unpaid bills has been disconnected.
- The school in Randburg owes City Power more than R3.7 million in electricity bills.
- City officials have also been accused of conspiring with customers to manipulate their accounts.
City Power has cut off power to a Johannesburg-based private secondary school as it owes the Johannesburg Metro millions of rand in unpaid bills.
Vuleka SSB High School in Randburg owes City Power more than R3.7 million.
City Power spokesman Isaac Mangena said this was the second time the utility company had disconnected power at the school.
“Last year, they paid a fine and agreed to pay their debt. Then they breached their agreement with City Power.”
“This time, they must pay R3.7 million before they can legally reconnect. We are surprised that after we raided the school last year, they have not kept their promises,” Mangena said.
Mpho Moerane, a member of the city of Johannesburg’s mayoral committee for Infrastructure and Environmental Services, who joined City Power officials in a raid Monday morning, said they have established that city employees are in collusion with customers to manipulate their accounts.
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Moerane said that some clients are not paying what they actually owe the City.
“It is true that some of our employees are colluding with consumers to steal power. Then we involved the City Forensic Investigation Group to take over. People have been suspended at City Power and some are under investigation.
“It’s not just City Power employees that are involved, there are people in the revenue department who are manipulating the accounts. Residents are not paying the proper fees and bills.
“We will nip it in the bud. We have noticed that there is a trend of illegal things within our city. So far, we have arrested two people who tried to bribe our officials. We call on our people to keep our municipality clean and pay the water and light, ”said Moerane.
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Moerane said they are targeting illegal connections and people who don’t pay for their services.
“Last week, we arrested an individual who was stealing electricity and when we got to his house he tried to bribe our officials. He is currently out on bail and we are monitoring his location to make sure the electricity is not illegally reconnected.
“Our approach is that if you don’t pay for services or steal electricity, we completely disconnect [sic] and must pay a fine of R30,000 for reconnection. Then we monitor their payment every month, “MMC said.
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The suspect owes the municipality an estimated amount of R3.4 million.
The 55-year-old man was arrested during an operation by the Hawks and City Power Income Protection Unit.
The man tried to bribe officials with 25,000 rand.
The suspect has also confessed to authorities that he owns a 48-room housing unit built in a municipal recreation park.
