Clifford Davidson, a resident of Elspark, informed the GCN that he was asked for a R200 bribe to keep his electricity from being disconnected recently.
“I wonder how many people are being asked for bribes to ensure continued service by the municipal staff who are supposed to disconnect unpaid accounts,” said Davidson.
“I am terribly distraught that corruption has now reached new levels.
“This is clearly an indication that corruption has now increased to greater heights and it has become a way of living everywhere.”
Davidson told the GCN that he went to Germiston’s water and electricity offices to make payment arrangements for a utility bill of R30 000.
“This is due to the municipality charging monthly estimates,” he said.
“This happened after I regularly called in to give my readings.”
Davidson’s readings were apparently never recorded and he said this resulted in the R30 000 invoice he received for being in arrears.
He blames the municipality and the company responsible for recording the readings.
“I was forced to pay a third of the amount immediately and the installments thereafter,” he said.
“With that said, someone from the municipality still came to disconnect my power with a R2 000 disconnection/connection penalty fee.
“They demanded a R200 bribe to keep my electricity connected.
“I don’t know what administration work is being done at that office, but clearly it is not what should be done.”
The GCN forwarded Davidson’s complaint to the metro on July 9.
He later informed the GCN that the metro contacted him privately, after the complaint was sent to them.
He added the GCN in an email he sent back to the metro official who attended to him after the complaint was sent, and this is what he said in the email:
“Now I see why your emails don’t have the common decency to address me.
“You just give me one line making demands and you leave the other recipients of Caxton out because you want to come up with yet another cover-up.
“Your actions as an Ekurhuleni employee lead me only to that conclusion.
“You may not have any details.
“I will keep all documents to expose the fraud.”
Davidson then informed the GCN that the company contracted to the metro trespassed after he refused them entry to his property in order to record his electricity readings.
“I have no choice but to report this to the police as a formal case,” said Davidson.
“I have openly disclosed this matter and now strangers just enter my property and refuse to leave.”
The GCN asked the metro for comment but no response had been received at the time of going to press.
