Community activists are furious after residents complained that a worker of the Merafong City Local Municipality is asking for bribes to reconnect them illegally.

“We have received complaints from vulnerable residents in Carletonville, especially single unemployed women, that a municipal electricity department official is approaching households whose electricity has been disconnected or is at risk of being disconnected,” says Mzwandile Kheswa of the Elderly People Movement For Change.

“The official tells residents he can ‘keep the lights on’ if they pay him cash directly. The money is, however, not paid into any municipal account. It is deposited via Capitec Cash Send for his personal benefit,” Kheswa added.

He noted that a resident in Geldenhuys Street in Carletonville Extension 9 has supplied proof that she has already paid the official R2 500 for such transfers. According to another activist, Buti Mthembu of OMO, they have also been made aware of a business in Welverdiend paying the same official.

They have asked the municipality to launch an immediate investigation and lay criminal charges against the employee.

They also want the municipality to help the affected resident with her electricity account so that she can have power in her home again, and they conduct an awareness campaign to warn residents not to pay any municipal official directly in cash.

Although the Herald took the issue to the municipality’s marketing and communication manager, Temba Fezani, no feedback was received by printing time.