Hawks to probe allegedly corrupt City Power contractor

The Hawks have agreed to prioritise an investigation into an allegedly corrupt City Power contractor in Eldorado Park‚ Johannesburg mayor Herman Mashaba has announced.

He said this followed serious allegations of corruption being brought to his attention‚ relating to a contract awarded to build a new electricity substation in Eldorado Park. Mashaba added that he had met on Friday with sub-contractors‚ who are owed R1.8 million by the contractor.

“I was shocked at the details of corruption‚ fraud and non-payment detailed by them‚” he said.

• Mayor hails Eldorado Park community for preventing damage to electricity substation amid contract disputeCity of Johannesburg executive mayor Herman Mashaba said on Friday his administration would act against an allegedly corrupt City Power contractor‚ whose employees almost caused major damage last night. 

The contract to build a new substation in Eldorado Park is worth R126 million. Despite receiving a significant remittance from the City‚ thus far totalling R66 million‚ the contractor has failed to deliver on a number of specific tasks which have already been paid for‚ Mashaba added.

This week‚ tensions rose at the City Power substation in Eldorado Park‚ when employees of sub-contractors protested against the contractor and threatened to burn the substation down.

Community leaders of Eldorado Park and surrounds prevented the attempted destruction of the substation‚ which is used to supply electricity to Eldorado Park and surrounding areas.

Mashaba said he had met on Saturday afternoon with the Head of the City’s Internal Forensic Investigations Unit‚ General Shadrack Sibiya‚ and they were able to secure an urgent meeting with the national leadership of the Hawks‚ including Acting Head‚ Lt General Yolisa Matakata.

• Residents of SA's economic powerhouse rage on the streetsAlmost two out of every five service delivery protests in 2017 have been in Gauteng‚ a massive jump on previous years - signalling to all spheres of government that developmental backlogs must take priority over politicking. 

“I am extremely grateful that the leadership of the Hawks agreed to a meeting at such short notice and have also agreed to prioritise an investigation into this matter.

“Working together with institutions such as the Hawks is vital in ensuring that corrupt individuals face the full might of the law and that justice is served.

“I am committed to ensuring that legal action is taken against the contractor for the recovery of monies owed to the residents of this city. “Furthermore‚ we will pursue criminal charges against the contractor and any city officials found wanting‚” Mashaba said.

“Corruption has no place in this administration and we will work tirelessly‚ and in collaboration with institutions such as the Hawks‚ to ensure that the residents of Johannesburg receive the quality services they deserve‚” he added.