PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - Residents are warned to check the credentials of anyone claiming to be from the Bitou Municipality after recent reports of criminals impersonating electricity department employees. 

Residents should take note that the only service provider that is contracted to do electrical connections and disconnection on behalf of the Bitou Municipality, is a company called Spectrum. 

"They wear green overalls and always have their identification cards on them."

According to the Bitou communications team, it had been brought to their attention that there are people claiming to represent the municipality.

"These suspects enter the premises of residential houses and switch off electricity at the distribution board. They then request funds before reconnecting the electricity," they said in a statement.

It should also be noted that officials from Spectrum only do connections or disconnections in cases of non-payment of bills, and in such a case, residents are informed in advance when they would come.

"Officials from the municipality as well as Spectrum are not allowed to request compensation for services rendered."

Residents should not allow anyone who cannot identify themselves and prove to be employed by Spectrum or the municipality, to enter their property and work on their electrical distribution boards.

Any suspicious activity must be reported to police on 10111 or to Bitou Law Enforcement on 044 501 3240. The Bitou Customer Care can also be contacted on 044 50130174/5.

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