The public have been warned not to be taken in by thieves posing as City workers.
Rose Jackson, 76, of Claremont, said a man claiming to be a City electrician stole more than R90 000 of goods from her tenant after she let the man into the separate entrance.
Claremont station commander, Colonel Maree Louw, said a theft case had been opened.
Ms Jackson said the man was black, 1.8m tall, with a goatee and some missing front teeth. He wore a bright yellow reflective vest and had a clipboard.
Ms Rose said the phony electrician had told her the electricity department was offering a pensioner discount for electricity tariffs from next month.
“In order for me to qualify for this and be added to the list, he would need to see my prepaid electricity box and get a tally of the number of plugs in my house,” she said.
Ms Jackson said she and a visitor had shown the man the plugs in her home and had then let the man into the tenant’s separate entrance so he could see the plugs there.
The man had then asked to use the bathroom before leaving.
Later her tenant had returned and had found his iPad and jewellery missing.
Mayco member for energy and climate change, Phindile Maxiti, said City staff made an appointment if they needed to check electricity meters and did not go door to door.
Mr Maxiti said City staff or contractors should be able to provide a reference number which could be verified with the City’s call centre at 0860 103 089.
The staff member or contractor should also have an identification card with the City logo, their name and surname and a photo of them.