City Power hails arrests of suspects impersonating officials and extorting money
Three suspects arrested for posing as City Power staff, extorting money. City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava has urged residents to pay only at official City Power offices and report any suspicious electricity-related activity immediately
Image: Photo: Supplied/City Power
City Power has welcomed the arrest of three suspects by the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department’s Tactical Response Unit (TRU). The individuals are accused of impersonating City Power officials with the alarming intent of extorting money from a building owner.
The suspects were apprehended at Evette Court on Jeppe Street after allegedly demanding and receiving R3,500 under the false pretence of inspecting electricity meters.
According to the City, two of the suspects were City Power interns who were not authorised to perform any field or metering work, while the third falsely claimed to be a City Power manager.
City Power confirmed that the suspects’ uniforms and the cash obtained through extortion were recovered during the arrest.
City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava said the arrests highlighted how criminal syndicates continue to exploit electricity infrastructure and the City Power brand.
“We are pleased with the action taken by law enforcement in collaboration with security, and we will continue to work closely with them to protect customers and the integrity of our operations,” she said.
The arrests come days after six contractor-linked individuals were apprehended for cable theft during an intelligence-driven operation in Fordsburg.
City Power said the operation uncovered deliberate tampering with underground electricity infrastructure and repeated unlawful activity by individuals operating under the cover of legitimate contractor assignments.
Since the start of the 2025/26 financial year in July, City Power said it had intensified efforts to combat crimes across the electricity value chain, resulting in more than 140 arrests linked to cable theft, vandalism, impersonation, extortion, and internal collusion.
The company said it had strengthened internal controls, increased armed patrols in high-risk areas, and tightened oversight of contractors and subcontractors.
Mashava urged customers not to pay anyone claiming to represent City Power without proper authorisation.
“No intern, contractor or employee is permitted to conduct electricity inspections, meter work, or request payment from customers without proper authorisation and verifiable documentation.
''We urge customers to remain vigilant and to immediately report suspicious activity involving electricity infrastructure or individuals claiming to represent City Power.”
“Customers must not pay any individual who demands payment for electricity services, claiming to be working for City Power.
“All payments must be made at the City Power Service Delivery Centre or COJ offices,” she said. She also warned that offering bribes to impersonators is a criminal offence and could lead to arrest.
“These arrests demonstrate that our intensified security interventions are yielding results,” Ms. Mashava added.
“We will continue to pursue criminal elements relentlessly, whether external or internal, and will support law enforcement to ensure that those responsible are held fully accountable.''
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