City Power appeared in the Johannesburg High Court on October 10 for a hearing on an urgent application against the Hawks, the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation.
The utility company is seeking an interdict to suspend the execution of a search warrant issued on September 17. This follows a previous hearing that was postponed earlier this week.
The Hawks requested more time to file their responding affidavit. City Power views this as a deliberate attempt to delay proceedings, stating that the Hawks had sufficient time to submit their court papers.
City Power emphasises its commitment to supporting lawful investigations and cooperating with the Hawks while protecting its constitutional rights.
The matter stems from a visit by a Hawks team to City Power headquarters on September 17, part of an investigation launched in 2024 into the procurement of electrical equipment, including transformers.
The Hawks had previously served City Power with a formal request for information. City Power stressed that the visit was part of a normal investigation and not a raid.
The company stated that it continued to cooperate with the lawful process and remained committed to providing all necessary information. However, it contends that the search warrant related to the request for information was unlawfully executed and has filed for a court interdict, which was scheduled for October 10.
According to City Power, the Hawks were provided with relevant documents and had time to prepare, yet submitted their opposing affidavit only on the evening of the hearing. The company is now seeking an urgent interdict to suspend the warrant’s execution until full arguments are heard.
City Power’s general manager of communications and public relations, Isaac Mangena, said: “The entity emphasised that it would cooperate with lawful investigations but cited procedural irregularities in the Hawks’ probe, which began in November 2024.”
City Power asserts that the execution of the search warrant was procedurally flawed and inconsistent with due legal process.
The urgent application aims to ensure that investigative procedures are conducted lawfully, transparently and without prejudice.
