Man held for alleged bribery
The Hawks have arrested a Roodepoort businessman who owes the City of Joburg millions of rands in unpaid electricity consumption for allegedly attempting to bribe officials.
The man was arrested on Monday after he allegedly attempted to bribe City Power officials with R25 000 not to cut illegally connected power from his premises.
He owes the municipality about R3.4 million.
The 55-year-old man was arrested during a sting operation led by the Hawks and City Power revenue protection unit.
During a raid at his business last week, officials found that electricity and water were illegally connected. At the time, he told officials he owned a 48-roomed housing unit built on a municipal recreational park opposite his business.
He claimed he had leased the recreational park from the city and was granted permission to build rental properties, of which he charged tenants R1 650 a month per room.
City of Joburg MMC for environment and infrastructure services Mpho Moerane was present when the businessman was arrested for alleged bribery.
City Power spokesman Isaac Mangena said the business owner approached officials to negotiate leniency after his business was found to be stealing electricity.
“It is not clear how long the man operated the business without paying for electricity, but he is estimated to owe the city about R3.4 million over a period of three years,” said Mangena.
“He offered R5 000 to the senior technician who was leading the disconnection, and R10 000 each to two city officials.
“A sting operation was set up and the suspect was arrested after paying city officials almost R10 000, promising to pay the balance later.”
Moerane said the arrest should serve as a warning to others.
“This man can afford to pay for electricity. He makes money from his business and has 48 rooms that he is renting out, which are illegally fed electricity from the business,” said Moerane.
The businessman is expected to appear in the Roodepoort Magistrate’s Court on charges of corruption and bribery.