City Power contractors jailed for corruption and extortion

Two City Power contractors have been sentenced to five years in prison for corruption and extortion.

The pair were found guilty last Friday and sentenced this week.

Contractors demand bribe after removing meter box

Johannesburg electricity utility spokesman Isaac Mangena said Mahlatsi Ramoroka, 39, and Jacob Morena, 36, who worked at the urban utility distribution centre, were arrested in March 2019 after demanding a bribe of R5,000 from a customer in Kensington for the fire. -Installation of a meter box removed during an unauthorized service operation.

Their arrest followed an undercover operation.

In a related development, two suspects claiming to be City Power contractors were arrested in Randburg last Friday for interfering with essential infrastructure, Mangena said.

The pair were caught tampering with a pillar box in Vandia Grove by City Power security personnel.

It was alleged that the suspects tried to bribe security officers during the arrest. Their cases are currently before the Randburg Magistrates’ Court.

Another suspect was arrested Sunday for interfering with City Power infrastructure in the feeder room of the Fordsburg substation.

He was found wandering through tunnels with access to critical infrastructure. He will appear in court soon.

“Increasingly widespread cable theft and infrastructure vandalism have become a major concern for City Power, especially as the festive season approaches and demand for electricity increases.”

Mangena said 102 people have been arrested for such crimes since the beginning of 2024. 14 of them, including a child, were sentenced to prison terms ranging from 3 to 15 years.

ALSO READ: Cable thieves arrested after shootout at Joburg substation

City Power CEO says some sentences are too mild

CEO Tshifularo Mashava expressed concerns about the leniency of some sentences.

“While we are encouraged by the increasing number of convictions, the leniency in some cases is extremely worrying,” Mashava said.

“Crimes targeting basic infrastructure should carry harsher penalties. These are five offenses listed under the Criminal Matters Amendment Act, which carries a minimum prison sentence of 15 years.

“We once again call on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to review these cases, especially where sentences appear to be disproportionately light.”

He said the punishment should fit the crime.

“We will continue to press for appropriate penalties to protect Johannesburg’s vital infrastructure,” Mashava said.

Mangana appealed to the public report any suspicious activity.