City Power has issued a warning that it may withdraw its services from Lenasia following a distressing incident in which three technicians were hijacked while on duty.
The crew was targeted while responding to a customer’s complaint regarding a faulty meter in Lenasia South on Tuesday.
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As one technician was verifying the address, the other two technicians were hijacked while sitting in separate vans.
Isaac Mangena, the spokesperson for City Power, confirmed that the abandoned vehicles were later discovered.
“While the news of the hijacking is deeply concerning, it underscores the increased risks faced by our employees in the course of their work. A case of hijacking and kidnapping has been reported at the local police station.”
Mangena emphasized that the utility may choose to withdraw its services from areas it deems unsafe.
“While we have the option to request escorts from the Johannesburg Metropolitan Police Department (JMPD) to ensure our employees can carry out their duties in the community, this approach is not sustainable and costly. It may also impact our ability to respond promptly to power outages in hostile areas.”
Mangena highlighted the unfortunate incidents that City Power technicians have experienced this year, including being held at gunpoint, subjected to robberies of personal belongings, such as cellphones and laptops, as well as being victims of hijackings and physical injuries leading to hospitalization.
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During the incident in Lenasia, one male crew member was physically assaulted, while the two female workers were unharmed.
The employees were also robbed of their phones, bags, and toolboxes, and coerced into transferring money from their bank accounts.
Full Story Source: City Power Considers Service Withdrawal In Lenasia After Hijacking Incident