From R2 Billion to R416 Million: How Ekurhuleni Is Fighting Electricity Fraud

The City of Ekurhuleni has made significant progress in recovering from major financial losses caused by widespread tampering with electricity accounts. After losing billions in the early months of the current financial year, the metro has introduced key interventions that appear to be working.

Between July and September 2024, the municipality recorded a staggering R2 billion revenue deficit, largely due to irregularities in electricity billing and manipulation of account data.

More than a thousand households and businesses were found to have either underpaid for electricity or had their balances mysteriously wiped from the city’s system.

Ekurhuleni’s Executive Mayor, Doctor Nkosindiphile Xhakaza, said the interventions have helped drastically reduce losses in the following quarters.

“We have begun to turn the tide. From quarter one’s R2 billion, we took it down to R587 million, and in this quarter, it went further down to R416 million. So you’ll agree with me that there’s been a huge intervention in that area,” said Xhakaza.

The city is continuing efforts to clamp down on corruption, with officials expected to pursue disciplinary and legal action against those found responsible for account tampering.

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Sourced:EWN