Ekurhuleni wants probe into electricity accounts tampering, balance manipulation
In a confidential report, which Eyewitness News has seen, the city indicates that more than a thousand households and businesses have been paying much less than they should.
Picture: Pixabay.com
JOHANNESBURG - The City of Ekurhuleni wants to appoint an independent company to probe the tampering of electricity accounts and the manipulation of balances in the metro.
In a confidential report, which Eyewitness News has seen, the city indicates that more than a thousand households and businesses have been paying much less than they should.
The decision to launch a forensic investigation follows revelations that the city lost almost R300 million in revenue due to these fraudulent activities.
The City of Ekurhuleni wants to launch an internal investigation after discovering a significant shortfall in its electricity revenue during the first quarter of the 2024/2025 financial year.
The investigation revealed that some households and businesses had their outstanding balances wiped out, while others manipulated their balances to pay much less than required.
Finance MMC Jongizizwe Dlabathi said the forensic investigation will provide further details about this syndicate and the exact methods used in the scheme.
“That independent forensic investigation must then give us its own view and its recommendations from which we are going to take further corrective measures.”
Dlabathi said the city will communicate outcomes of the forensic investigation in April.