The City of Johannesburg has seized City Power infrastructure worth approximately R80 million in a joint operation by the South African Police (SAP) detective service, Johannesburg Metro Police Department (JMPD) and the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS).  

Councillor Nico de Jager, MMC for Environment and Infrastructure Services, says the GFIS received a tip off from a member of the public that infrastructure material provided to contractors and sub-contractors for maintenance, repairs, and major projects, was not returned to City Power’s stores upon completion of projects.

The whistle-blower identified 12 properties belonging to the contractors and sub-contractors where the infrastructure was being held and following an investigation the GFIS, SAPS and the JMPD conducted raids at 10 of the properties.

A breach of contract

According to De Jager this is a serious breach of contract, “As per the terms of the contract entered into by City Power and contractors, they are required to return the unused and replaced material upon completion of work.”

“When stealing our infrastructure, these contractors sabotage our economy and our City. They deprive the residents of the City the quality of service they deserve,” he adds.

“GFIS is committed to fight fraud and corruption, and maladministration in the City, those that are found to be involved in criminal activities will face the full might of the law,” he says.

Some of the infrastructure recovered includes transformers, warning boards, overhead lines, street light fittings, fuses, circuit breakers, joint boxes, termination kits, street lights and street poles.

De Jager says some of the material has allegedly found their way to other provinces such as Kwa-Zulu Natal and Mpumalanga.