JoburgCAN commends City Power and the City’s Security Risk Management unit for acting decisively after receiving a corruption complaint involving an alleged attempt to solicit a bribe from a customer who was disputing her municipal account.
“This incident is a reminder that the public must work with officials to root out corruption,” said JoburgCAN executive manager Julia Fish.
“We commend City Power and Risk Management for acting decisively, and JoburgCAN will continue to work constructively with the city.”
Fish said the whistleblower first came to JoburgCAN after facing several months of trying to resolve over billing issues related to repeated estimate reading.
“Through building solid relationships with city officials committed to building a safer, cleaner and more affordable city for all residents, JoburgCAn was able to get this matter escalated and within a month, resolved. This is an incredible result and now it is up to the judicial system to hopefully sentence the suspected detained,” said Fish.
According to a statement released by the city’s Security Risk Management unit, it received the complaint on 23 January 2026 after a customer lodged a dispute. The customer alleged her account had been billed on estimates and was in excess of R114000 in arrears. She further alleged that a City Power contractor arrived at her property for a disconnection and offered to reduce or reverse the outstanding amount in exchange for R53000, claiming he worked with someone in the billing section and had helped other customers with similar problems.
Security Risk Management traced the contractor and, together with the SAPS, agreed to conduct an entrapment operation. On 19 February 2026, the contractor allegedly contacted the customer and arrangements were made for a payment. Police monitored the handover, and two suspects were arrested for solicitation of a bribe and corruption.
The suspects were detained at Randburg police station and appeared in the Randburg Magistrate’s Court on 25 February 2026.
“We encourage anyone facing similar circumstances to come forward and report these incidents through official channels,” Fish said.
“JoburgCAN will support whistleblowers and affiliate members. We also urge community organisations to become affiliate members of JoburgCAN to help build greater resources and depth for sustained, constructive civic action aimed at improving governance and service delivery across the city.”
Report corruption (City of Johannesburg Anti-Fraud Hotline / GFIS): 0800 002 587.
Media Enquiries: Jonathan Erasmus 068 923 6600
About JoburgCAN
JoburgCAN (the Johannesburg Community Action Network) is a civic network that connects community organisations, residents and partner groups across Johannesburg to strengthen local accountability and improve service delivery. It supports affiliates with practical coordination, information-sharing and escalation channels so problems like billing disputes, infrastructure failures and corruption complaints can be resolved faster through official processes. By building constructive working relationships with city departments and law-enforcement agencies, JoburgCAN helps communities report issues, protect whistleblowers, and drive safer, cleaner and more affordable neighbourhoods.