The City of Cape Town has been alarmed of the threats against its electricity meter staff and contractors. Photographer: Armand Hough /Independent Newspapers
The City of Cape Town has expressed concern over the emerging threats against its electricity meter staff and contractors, which appear to be politically driven. The threats come amidst investigations into alleged electricity meter tampering in the area.
According to the City, only 26.6% of the checked electricity meters in Lavender Hill have been found to be tampered with or bypassed, despite claims of widespread tampering.
The City’s mayoral committee member for energy, Alderman Limberg says they have engaged with the 7945 Community Action Group, which has political affiliations, and the City has responded to their demands.
“The City treats the emerging threats against City staff and contractors performing their official duties in these areas as unacceptable and the City will open criminal cases against groupings or individual instigators.”
The City believes that the mobilisation against its staff and contractors is fuelled by misinformation and political instigation. The City’s standard metro-wide meter functionality investigations have found that the majority of residents in the area are paying for their electricity services, with only a small percentage engaging in tampering or bypassing.
The City has emphasised that it will not stop its revenue protection activities, as any income loss is essential to help pay for the cost of providing electricity.
The City has also encouraged the action group to support its fight against Eskom's proposed 44% increase, which has a profound impact on the City’s income.
The City has offered feasible assistance to residents who need help and says it has an open door policy, but will not tolerate deliberate misinformation intended to undermine the rule of law.
Residents who need help are urged to visit their municipal customer interaction centre to see what help is available.
IOL