DA in Tshwane warns residents to be alert against suspected syndicate extorting them through illegal power disconnections

The Democratic Alliance (DA) in Tshwane has written to the City Manager to investigate what appears to be a syndicate that is extorting residents by cutting their power unlawfully, removing their electricity meter and then extorting them to have it returned.

Over the last few weeks, various residents have approached DA ward councillors after they were targeted.

Individuals operating in the City of Tshwane witnessed branded vehicles arriving at a property, disconnecting electricity and removing the meter, stating the reason is that there is an illegal connection present.

There was no documentation or evidence given to justify the disconnection.

Residents have been instructed to visit the Hatfield electricity office and pay an amount ranging from R43 000 to R78 000. This is completely irregular and against the City’s own by-laws which state:

1. The City must be able to produce pictures of the tampered meter upon request of the resident.
2. The fine must be levied on the resident’s account with a set amount as approved and gazetted as part of the City’s budget.
3. A resident should be able to go to any municipal office and pay the fine, alternatively pay directly into the City’s bank account.

Except residents are now being directed specifically to the Hatfield office, suggesting a possible scam, where they are asked to make a payment via credit card.

When residents attempt to query the amount or demand proof of the tampering and refuse to pay the fine, they are contacted via WhatsApp by a dubious individual who offers to make the fine go away for a payment of R3000.

What we are seeing bears all the hallmarks of a potential coordinated scheme designed to exploit residents.

The DA has written to the City Manager to launch an investigation and encourage all residents to open an official dispute with the City of Tshwane if they were affected.

While the DA fully supports the combating of electricity theft and removal of illegal connections, the City of Tshwane is now jeopardizing the validity of this drive to stop electricity theft with what seems to be either completely unprocedural activities or worse, a possible criminal syndicate extorting residents.