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​This afternoon, A 50 year old male suspect was arrested in Bruma, east of Johannesburg during a #BuyaMthetho operation for illegally connecting power supply to a business complex he is in charge of.

The suspect was arrested by the South African Police ServiceS (SAPS) and the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) working together with the City’s Group Forensic and Investigation Service (GFIS).

I have been informed that the business complex in Bruma owes the City about R7.5-million for rates and services. When the team arrived at the said property two weeks ago during Operation #BuyaMthetho, the team found that the electricity to the complex was illegally connected.  The City’s technicians cut off power supply to the business complex but when the team returned today they found that power was reconnected again.

The suspect is detained at the Cleveland Police Station.  He will appear at Jeppestown Magistrate’s Court tomorrow.

I have instructed the JMPD to continue monitoring properties which have been found to be connecting to service illegally. If they are reconnected the owners will be arrested immediately.

I have every faith that the JMPD, working with our law enforcement partners, will do all it can to ensure lawbreakers are held to account. 

Operation #BuyaMthetho is a new multi-departmental operation aimed at enforcing by-laws and bringing the rule of law to the City of Johannesburg.

The City, working with all state enforcement agencies, will not leave any stone unturned when dealing with criminal activities within our area of jurisdiction.
I would also like to encourage people to report any theft, fraud and corruption activities through our 24-hour tip-off hotline 0800 002 587 or visit the GFIS offices situated at 48 Ameshoff Street in Braamfontein.

Cllr Herman Mashaba
Executive Mayor 
City of Joburg

For further information contact:
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