In Conversation With Isaac Mangena, Communications manager at City Power
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City Power has intensified its joint operations with law enforcement agencies and security personnel to combat infrastructure-related crime across Johannesburg. These intelligence-driven efforts target offences such as electricity theft, illegal connections, vandalism, extortion, and the misuse of municipal credentials.
As part of these ongoing operations, a 30-year-old suspect was arrested on 22 June 2026 in Hillbrow after allegedly extorting a resident by demanding payment in exchange for not disconnecting electricity and water services. The arrest was carried out through a coordinated operation involving the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department and information supplied by a community informer.
The case has raised serious concerns after the suspect was found in possession of what appeared to be a City Power contractor access card and a Johannesburg Water identification card. Johannesburg Water has confirmed that the individual is not a current employee and had previously worked as a contractor meter reader approximately three years ago. City Power is currently verifying the authenticity of the contractor access card and investigating whether it was legitimately issued, fraudulently produced, or unlawfully obtained.
According to City Power, the incident highlights a growing trend in which individuals exploit municipal identities, contractor credentials, and access to infrastructure to conduct criminal activities. The utility has warned that such actions erode public trust, threaten service delivery, and compromise infrastructure security.
The arrest also underscores broader concerns about the abuse of access privileges by contractors and other individuals entrusted with municipal infrastructure responsibilities. City Power has reported a significant increase in enforcement activities in recent months, resulting in an average of five arrests per day for infrastructure-related crimes.
The utility maintains that no employee, contractor, or service provider is authorised to request cash payments from residents for municipal services, reconnections, or to prevent service disconnections. Residents are encouraged to report any such demands immediately.
City Power says it remains committed to working with law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders to identify, arrest, and prosecute individuals involved in infrastructure crime, including those operating within contractor networks.
As part of these ongoing operations, a 30-year-old suspect was arrested on 22 June 2026 in Hillbrow after allegedly extorting a resident by demanding payment in exchange for not disconnecting electricity and water services. The arrest was carried out through a coordinated operation involving the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department and information supplied by a community informer.
The case has raised serious concerns after the suspect was found in possession of what appeared to be a City Power contractor access card and a Johannesburg Water identification card. Johannesburg Water has confirmed that the individual is not a current employee and had previously worked as a contractor meter reader approximately three years ago. City Power is currently verifying the authenticity of the contractor access card and investigating whether it was legitimately issued, fraudulently produced, or unlawfully obtained.
According to City Power, the incident highlights a growing trend in which individuals exploit municipal identities, contractor credentials, and access to infrastructure to conduct criminal activities. The utility has warned that such actions erode public trust, threaten service delivery, and compromise infrastructure security.
The arrest also underscores broader concerns about the abuse of access privileges by contractors and other individuals entrusted with municipal infrastructure responsibilities. City Power has reported a significant increase in enforcement activities in recent months, resulting in an average of five arrests per day for infrastructure-related crimes.
The utility maintains that no employee, contractor, or service provider is authorised to request cash payments from residents for municipal services, reconnections, or to prevent service disconnections. Residents are encouraged to report any such demands immediately.
City Power says it remains committed to working with law enforcement agencies and community stakeholders to identify, arrest, and prosecute individuals involved in infrastructure crime, including those operating within contractor networks.
