75-year-old man and his wife are robbed’

This comes after a 75-year-old man and his wife were robbed in their house on Tuesday by two individuals dressed in City clothes.

Lower Kenilworth City Improvement District chairwoman Rory Moore stated that the couple requested for a discount on their power and rates around a month ago.

“On Tuesday, two ‘City officials’ arrived at the Kenilworth property and stated that they were aware that he had sought for a decrease in power and rates, and that they needed to come in and check the electrical metre.

“So he thought because he applied a month ago, and here were two guys that had the uniform and ID cards, he let them in at the property.”

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  Moore stated that one of the suspects looked at the metre and took photographs.

  “The other went and grabbed all of the smartphones. A minute or two after they left, the man’s wife noticed the smartphones, money, and wallet were gone.

  “They raced outside and looked for the suspects, but they were not on the road.

  “Whether they had a car or walked very fast, we don’t know.”

  He stated that the suspects used the victims’ credit cards in a supermarket.

  “The card was used five times and a total of R1 500 was spent. The police were notified, and they went to the supermarket to investigate the film. They are still conducting investigations.”

  Moore said they were curious to find out how the suspects knew the couple had made an application.

  Lower Kenilworth councillor Katherine Christie said: “Tariffs are set by the City council and no legitimate officials will go door to door in respect of electricity sales and prices.

  “Our electricity area official said his department sends staff only in response to complaints logged. Anyone who just arrives at your gate when you have not logged a request is not from the City of Cape Town.”

  Mayco member for Energy Beverley van Reenen said when the requested reference number or City-issued identification card cannot be produced, residents should not allow people into their homes.

  “Residents can call the City’s call centre on 0860 103 089 to confirm.

  “It is important to remember when residents apply for a rates rebate that electricity meters, plugs and light bulbs in your home do not need to be checked by the City as part of the application process,” Van Reenen said.