Whether you are going away or staying home this holiday season, it’s important to be careful about people wanting to access your property, claiming to represent the City.
Ward councillor Martin Williams warns the public to beware of criminals desiring to access your property in this way. To prevent this from happening, the people who want to access your property legally should have an identity/access card with them.
“For example, all City Power contractors must have a City Power access card with them,” said Williams. “They must also wear PPC [Personal Protective Equipment] clothing, bearing their company name.
To verify the identity/access cards presented, residents can call 011 490 7900/ 011 490 7911/ 011 490 7553. The Risk Control Department operates 24 hours a day and seven days a week at the above-listed numbers.
Mayor Herman Mashaba announced this week on his Facebook page that two City Power officials were arrested on 15 December for attempting to solicit a bribe from a resident in Auckland Park. The officials approached the resident and told him his account was in arrears and that they would disconnect his electricity if he did not pay them R2 000 cash. Fortunately, Metro police caught the officials while in the act of leaving the property with the bribe.
Have you experienced an incident where a criminal claimed to represent the City to access your property? Share your story on the Sandton Chronicle Facebook page.
