AN employee of the City of Ekurhuleni was arrested on November 7 in connection with the illegal connection of electricity to business premises in Alberton.
Eight businessmen were also arrested in connection with the crime.
The arrested employee was working at the energy department which is responsible for electricity connections and disconnections.
Preliminary investigations conducted by the city revealed the employee solicited a bribe for illegally connecting a business.
The businessmen were arrested for illegal connection to their business premises.
All affected premises were disconnected during the law enforcement operation led by the Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Police Department (EMPD) and the city’s energy department.
Member of the Mayoral Committee for Water, Sanitation and Energy, councillor Tiisetso Nketle said the government is in a state of austerity measures and it is unacceptable for the city to lose electricity revenue that can contribute to addressing other urgent service delivery needs.
She said the city will do all it can to rid itself of all rogue elements in its employ who assist criminal syndicates to do illegal electricity connections.
Nketle urged the residents to report any incidents of fraud or corruption to the Anti-Fraud and Corruption hotline on 0800 102 201.
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