Two City Power Johannesburg contractors were arrested for soliciting a R2 000 bribe from a customer on Wednesday.

The bribe was allegedly sought in exchange for not disconnecting the client after his meter was found to have been bypassed.

The arrests happened at the customer’s house in Olifantsvlei, next to Kibler Park, south of Johannesburg.

City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena says the arrests were made after a joint sting operation between the entity’s risk management officials and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department.

He explains that the contractors visited a client, pretending to be conducting meter auditing on behalf of the entity.

“After inspecting the meter, they claimed it had been bypassed, and threatened to disconnect it. The pair demanded R2 000 from the customer in exchange for keeping their lights on. The customer agreed to pay that amount.

“The two were apprehended and taken to the police station to effect the arrest,” says Mangena.

The customer also faces possible arrest for agreeing to pay a bribe, he adds.

Mangena says City Power officials investigated and discovered that the meter was bridged.

A case of extortion, bribery, and corruption has been opened against the contractors at the Mondeor Police Station.

City Power cautions customers against paying bribes to contractors or any City Power official.

“Some contractors demand payment from customers when carrying out duties sanctioned by the entity, such as repairs,” says Mangena.

He urges customers not to pay, but to report those involved on 0800 00 2587 or the 24-hour hotline on 011 490 7553.