SECUNDA – Service providers hired by the Govan Mbeki Municipality to do inspections on illegal connections and cut-offs to defaulting consumers are complaining of being ill-treated by residents.
Messrs Mondy Manzini from the Harare Construction and General Projects and Nicolas Mtsweni from Siyatotoba Electrical said several residents have written emails informing others not to allow their workers to enter their homes to do their work because “they are suspected of being criminals”.
Mr Manzini has an email from a resident that informs people to be aware “of inspectors trying to gain access to their homes during day time to check the power supply”.
Another resident also complained to the Ridge Times about people inspecting their pre-paid boxes.
She sent an email requesting the newspaper to investigate the people that are inspecting electricity in the area.
“I tried to find out from the municipality about the legal identification of these people, but as usual it was a dead-end.”
She said the municipality did however confirm that the people were legal.
The resident said 10 workers were at her sister’s home on Thursday morning, 10 April.
“Why do you need 10 people for inspection?
“Luckily my sister did not have a pre-paid meter and also did not allow them into her home.
“How do you identify the inspectors?
“The municipality could not answer me and what do our police say about this?
“Nobody can enter your premises without legal identification,” said the resident.
Mr Manzini said they were appointed by the municipality to work in Kinross, Evander, Secunda and Trichardt from 7am to 4pm during the week.
“We are aware that some residents are not happy with us entering their premises, but they need to allow us to do our job.
“Some residents are stealing electricity and the municipality is thus unable to collect enough revenue.”
Mr Manzini said they removed several meter boxes that were connected illegally since they begun and owners are expected to pay a fine at the municipality.
Mr Henry Masango, head of Marketing and Communications of the municipality, confirmed that these contractors were hired by them and their workers were issued with identification cards and an appointment letter that was signed by the municipal manager, Mr Mmela Mahlangu.
“It is thus prudent for residents to demand these two forms of identification so as to satisfy themselves lest they allow unscrupulous people into their households.”
