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City Power takes Hawks to court over ‘unlawful’ Johannesburg raid
The standoff between Johannesburg’s City Power and the Hawks has escalated into a courtroom battle. The municipal electricity utility has accused the elite crime-fighting unit of conducting an unlawful search and seizure operation at its head offices last week.
Taking the fight to court
On Tuesday, City Power approached the Johannesburg High Court seeking an urgent declaration that the Hawks’ operation was invalid. The utility argues that the search warrants used to enter its premises were not properly authorised and failed to specify what investigators were looking for.
City Power spokesperson Isaac Mangena said the organisation has nothing to hide but must also protect sensitive data. “Normal warrants are specific as to what they want to look into,” he explained. “The Hawks’ search warrant did not specify what exactly they were looking for. On their last visit, they wanted to take the entire server, but we have a responsibility to protect the information of our customers, residents, staff members and contractors.”
The case has been postponed to Friday, giving the Hawks time to file their formal response.
Background: why the Hawks are investigating
The Hawks’ recent search forms part of an ongoing investigation into suspected irregular contracts within City Power. While details remain limited, the operation focused on alleged suspicious payments and procurement processes at the entity.
The raid came amid growing scrutiny of Johannesburg’s utility agencies, several of which have faced corruption probes in recent years. City Power, which manages the city’s electricity network, has been under pressure to improve transparency after repeated allegations of mismanagement and financial losses.
A test of accountability and oversight
For City Power, the legal challenge is as much about principle as it is about process. The utility maintains that it supports anti-corruption efforts but insists investigations must be conducted within the law.
Legal analysts note that the outcome could set a precedent for how law enforcement agencies handle sensitive municipal data during raids. City Power’s systems contain customer billing records and grid infrastructure information, which the utility argues must be safeguarded under privacy and security laws.
At the same time, the case reflects growing public frustration over irregular spending and failing infrastructure in Johannesburg. On social media, residents have expressed mixed views, some calling for full transparency, others supporting City Power’s stand for procedural fairness.
What happens next
The High Court is expected to hear the matter again on Friday, when the Hawks’ legal team presents its answering affidavit. Until then, tensions remain high as both sides defend their version of events.
For Johannesburg’s residents, it’s another reminder of the delicate balance between fighting corruption and maintaining public trust in the city’s essential services.
Also read: Suppliers say Gauteng’s school meal chaos is starving businesses and threatening learners
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Source: EWN
Featured Image: SABC News
