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Last night, a businessman from Fordsburg was arrested by the members of the South African Police Service (SAPS) for attempting to bribe a City official for the installation of 04 electricity prepaid meters at a cost of R8000. 

The suspect is expected to appear in the Johannesburg Magistrate’s court today.

It is alleged that yesterday, during a Buya Mthetho operation in Fordsburg, officials were shocked to find 04 bridged prepaid electricity meters and a bypassed water meter. 

As the officials were about to remove the meters, the suspect, who is the owner of the property, approached the team leader from the Revenue Department and offered him R10 000 in exchange for new meters.

A sting operating led the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS) working with SAPS, City Power and the Revenue Department was then set up in the evening.  The team proceeded to the property with the requested electricity meters.

The suspect then paid R8000 for the meters and was apprehended by the SAPS.  

I am happy that operation Buya Mthetho in its first few days is yielding positive results.  I would like to commend the official who refused to be associated with corrupt activities.  Working with such dedicated officials I have no doubt in my mind that these daily operations will be a huge success. 

Operation Buya Mthetho is a new multi-departmental operation aimed at enforcing by-laws and bringing the rule of law to the City of Johannesburg. Key departments that are part of the operation include City departments and entities such as GFIS, JMPD, Environmental Health, Social Development, Infrastructure Services, the City’s legal department, and Development Planning to name but a few. 

This operation will be conducted on a daily basis, as a ward based “raid” initiative. The operation’s main focus is to ensure city by-law are adhered to by all within the City and that the rule of law becomes the order of the day.   

The City, working with all state enforcement agencies, will not leave any stone unturned when dealing with criminal activities within our area of jurisdiction.  

Cllr Herman Mashaba   
Executive Mayor    
City of Joburg      

Media Enquiries:   

Lucky Sindane  
Director: Strategic Stakeholder Management  
Group Forensic and Investigation Services  
Cell: 065 865 0696  
Email: LuckySi@joburg.org.za     

Or  

Luyanda Mfeka  
Director: Mayoral Communications  
Office of the Executive Mayor  
Cell: 076 171 5978  
Email: luyandam@joburg.org.za​