CITY Power technicians allegedly attacked and kidnapped.
The technicians were installing and registering electricity meters in Vezinyawo in Alexandra, north of Joburg, on Monday, 28 April, when they were allegedly held hostage and robbed of their vehicle's keys.
City Power spokesman Isaac Mangena said community members deliberately sabotaged their work.
"Several individuals approached and seized keys to three City Power and contractor vehicles demanding that power be restored before they are returned. One suspect fled the scene with the keys, deliberately sabotaging our ability to continue working and severely compromising the safety of our employees," said Mangena.
Joburg Metropolitan Police Department, the South African Police Service and TSS Security were immediately dispatched to the scene. Tow trucks were also arranged to move the stranded bakkies to the nearest City Power Service Delivery Centre.
City Power CEO Tshifularo Mashava said criminality and intimidation will not be tolerated.
"We are committed to enforcing the rule of law and protecting our employees who work daily under difficult and often dangerous conditions to bring services to communities," she said.
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City Power said they will not compromise on the installation and registration of prepaid meters and normalisation of meters in any area.
"It is either the community allows us to normalise meters, or we suspend services like we have done in areas like Riverpark (Alexandra), Rabie Ridge and Naturena," said Mashava.
She said Vezinyawo will remain suspended until the environment is safe, and all meters are installed and registered as required.
"We appeal to Vezinyawo residents to work with and not against us in ensuring reliable, legal and safe electricity supply for all.
"We urge those with information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects who held our technician's hostage to come forward by contacting Risk Control on 0800 002 587," she said.
Despite City Power saying they reported the matter to relevant authorities, police couldn't confirm the case being registered with them.
