A legal battle between City Power and the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) is underway in the High Court in Johannesburg, where the power utility is seeking an interdict to challenge the validity and execution of search warrants related to an investigation into a R67 million transformer tender.
The court application follows a search and seizure operation conducted by the Hawks at City Power’s offices last week. The utility claims the operation was unlawful and is asking the court to set parameters for the investigation.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena, speaking live from outside the courtroom, detailed the utility’s grievances. He stated that the investigation began in November 2024 after the Hawks received information from whistleblowers about alleged corruption.
Mangena emphasized that City Power had initially cooperated fully, providing requested information even during an initial visit in August when the Hawks did not have a warrant. However, he alleged that the conduct of the officers during a second operation on September 17 was the reason for the legal challenge.
“We decided to come here so that we can basically get to understand exactly what they are looking for,” Mangena said. “We are asking the judge to set the parameters of exactly what they can retrieve from City Power and how they are going to use it.”
The spokesperson strongly asserted that the court action should not be interpreted as an attempt to avoid accountability. “In fact, if anything, we want to get this matter to be resolved as quickly as possible,” he said, claiming the Hawks’ methods were “bordering on humiliation and embarrassment to the City Power brand.”
Mangena raised specific concerns about the execution of the warrants, noting that the Hawks had invited media to what they described as a “raid,” but then failed to confiscate key items. He revealed that despite public statements, the Hawks did not take any laptops, computers, or electronic equipment during their last visit.
“They said to us that you can bring them to our offices if there’s a need next week, Friday – five days later,” Mangena stated. “If there was any urgency in retrieving any information, why give me five days?”
The operation is reportedly linked to an alleged irregular R67 million tender for transformers. Mangena challenged the basis of this allegation, claiming the Hawks’ investigation was relying on untested media reports.
“They base some of their investigation on News24 articles… that have not been tested,” he said. “There’s nothing about the R67 million. The story… claims that we used R67 million and we only bought one transformer. That is not true and we’ve got evidence to that effect.”
Regarding the actual seizure of materials, Mangena clarified that during the last operation, the Hawks only downloaded information related to one of two contracts they were investigating. He confirmed that City Power’s IT technician assisted them in accessing servers, but the officers left without taking any physical items.
Mangena concluded by challenging the Hawks to either substantiate their claims or conclude the investigation. “If you’ve got anything against Isaac Mangena, you would have arrested him already,” he said. “If they don’t have to arrest, then we will basically be able to continue properly with our operations. Currently their conduct is actually disrupting those operations.”
The case continues in the High Court.
