City Power has moved swiftly to dispel what it terms “misleading and sensational” reports circulating in the media regarding a visit by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, to its head office earlier this week.
Contrary to media claims suggesting that the Hawks “raided” City Power’s offices and confiscated documents and equipment, the municipal electricity utility has clarified that no such raid occurred. In an official statement issued by Isaac Mangena, General Manager for Public Relations and Communication, City Power emphasised that the visit by the Hawks was cordial, procedural, and fully within the framework of the law.
“There was no raid, no confiscation of documents, files, or IT equipment. And there was no interrogation,” Mangena stated emphatically.
According to City Power, members of the Hawks merely handed over a formal Request for Information (RFI), which the utility has committed to honour in full.
“City Power will cooperate fully with this lawful request,” said Mangena, underscoring the utility’s commitment to transparency and good governance.
A Commitment to Accountability
The utility said it welcomes any inquiry aimed at ensuring clean administration, transparency, and ethical governance — values it has worked hard to reinforce in recent years amid mounting pressure on public institutions to account for their operations.
“We have nothing to hide,” said a senior City Power official, who declined to be named. “We see this not as an attack, but as part of building a stronger, corruption-free public sector.”
In a political and governance climate where many state-owned entities are frequently in the headlines for the wrong reasons, City Power’s proactive and transparent handling of the matter has been widely welcomed by civil society organisations and Johannesburg residents alike.
“We are used to public institutions ducking and diving when law enforcement gets involved. It’s refreshing to see City Power setting the record straight with such clarity,” said Thabo Mashabela, an energy activist based in Soweto.
Media Ethics Questioned
Meanwhile, the utility has also taken issue with the media’s role in spreading unverified claims of a dramatic raid, saying such reporting harms public confidence and fuels unnecessary panic.
“We appeal to journalists and media houses to verify facts before rushing to publish unsubstantiated claims. Institutions like ours are often vulnerable to public misinformation,” Mangena said.
Some observers argue that the media frenzy reflects the intense public interest in allegations of maladministration and corruption in the public sector — but warn that fact must not be sacrificed for sensation.
A New Era of Openness
Under its current leadership, City Power has adopted a more open and responsive communications policy. Public briefings, community engagements, and prompt media statements have become hallmarks of its evolving culture.
“This is not the City Power of yesterday. We are changing how we do things — not just technically, but ethically and culturally,” Mangena added.
As the Hawks continue with their investigation — the details of which remain confidential — City Power has reiterated its full support for the rule of law and remains committed to restoring public trust in its operations.
