The Tshwane metro has warned residents to be on high alert following reports of suspected fraudulent electricity disconnections, as allegations emerge of a possible syndicate targeting households across the metro.

This comes after several residents reported incidents where individuals posing as municipal officials allegedly disconnected electricity, removed meters, and demanded large sums of money for reconnection.

According to the metro, legitimate electricity disconnections follow strict procedures and should never involve direct payments to individuals.

Metro spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said enforcement is guided by structured systems aimed at identifying illegal connections.

“The metro conducts low-buy/no-buy analysis, which informs the Revenue Protection Team to undertake meter audits, including the detection of sophisticated electricity theft,” said Mashigo.

He explained that when tampering or illegal connections are identified, the process is formal and documented.

Mashigo said job cards are issued to technicians together with relevant tamper notices.

“Following the issuance of tamper disconnection notices and the execution of disconnection action, the customer’s account is debited with a tampering fee. The customer is then required to settle the fee and then request a reconnection,” he said.

Mashigo emphasised that fines are never handled informally.

“Fines, where applicable, are formally billed to a customer’s municipal account and can be settled through recognised city payment channels, not through direct or informal arrangements.”

The warning follows claims that some residents are being instructed to visit the Hatfield electricity office and pay large fines in person.

Mashigo clarified that this is not a requirement.

“Customers who prefer to visit Hatfield are typically those whose services have been disconnected due to tampering or illegal connections and wish to review the evidence that led to the disconnection. Otherwise, customers can generally pay their tampering fees at any municipal pay point,” he said.

He added that safeguards are in place to ensure proper billing.

Mashigo said following disconnection, the customer’s account is debited with a tampering fee, ensuring that all charges are recorded and traceable within the municipal system.

The metro has also distanced itself from reports of suspicious communication with residents.

“The city does not send any messages to customers offering reductions of fines. Any customer who receives such communication should report it to the SAPS or TMPD,” Mashigo said.

He urged locals not to engage with individuals requesting payments outside official channels.

“Residents must not make any payments to individuals in respect of municipal disconnections,” he said.

Mashigo has encouraged residents to report suspicious activity to the TMPD or the municipal fraud hotline.

To help residents identify legitimate officials, Mashigo said authorised personnel will always carry proper identification, use clearly branded vehicles and uniforms, and never request direct payments.

Meanwhile, the DA in Tshwane has raised alarm over what it describes as a possible ‘organised extortion scheme’.

DA Tshwane spokesperson for finance, councillor Jacqui Uys, said the party has formally written to the City Manager calling for an investigation.

“The DA in Tshwane has written to the City Manager to investigate what appears to be a syndicate that is extorting residents by cutting their power unlawfully, removing their electricity meter and then extorting them to have it returned,” said Uys.

She said multiple residents have reported similar incidents in recent weeks.

“Individuals operating in the metro have been witnessed arriving in branded vehicles, disconnecting electricity and removing the meter, stating the reason is that there is an illegal connection present. There was no documentation or evidence given to justify the disconnection,” she said.

Uys added that residents are allegedly being pressured into paying large sums.

“Residents have been instructed to visit the Hatfield electricity office and pay amounts ranging from R43 000 to R78 000. This is completely irregular and against the city’s own by-laws,” she said.

She outlined key procedures that should be followed in legitimate cases.

According to Uys, the metro must be able to produce pictures of the tampered meter upon request of the resident.

“The fine must be levied on the resident’s account with a set amount as approved and gazetted, and residents should be able to pay at any municipal office or through official banking channels,” she said.

Uys also warned of a second layer of alleged extortion.

She stated that residents attempt to query the amount or demand proof and refuse to pay, they are contacted via WhatsApp by a dubious individual who offers to make the fine ‘go away’ for a payment of R3 000.

“What we are seeing bears all the hallmarks of a potential co-ordinated scheme designed to exploit residents.”

She urged affected residents to formally dispute charges with the metro while investigations are underway.

Officials are urging residents to remain vigilant, verify all municipal activity, and report any suspicious behaviour immediately.

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