A report for the Summit Property Company has revealed that a Food Lover’s Market (FLM) franchise in Boksburg’s Northrand Square is involved in an illegal electricity connection.
Ian Small-Smith, senior counsel for Summit, has lodged several complaints regarding these connections with FLM Retailers North Rand (Pty) Ltd, the store’s owner. He indicated they are currently calculating the amount of excess electricity payments that the landlord has covered.
“My client has paid the full electricity bill to the Ekurhuleni Municipality, which includes costs incurred by the tenant,” stated Small-Smith, noting that the amount owed to Summit is nearly R1.8 million.
Meetings with FLM directors on Tuesday about the illegal connection yielded no response, as they did not address the complaints.
As a franchise of a larger retail group based in Cape Town, FLM’s representatives declined to comment on how this incident could affect the company’s reputation. Jean Harkett, the national spokesperson, stated, “The store is owned and operated by a franchisee, namely FLM Retailers North Rand (Pty) Ltd.” Harkett urged all inquiries on the matter to be directed to the franchisee, insisting that Food Lover’s Market has no knowledge of the allegations.
The report, backed by photographs, identifies non-compliance in electrical safety and urges corrective measures. It details issues such as improper cable routing and unmetered electricity supply from one of four cables connected to the store.
Interference with electrical installations poses serious risks, including electrical shock.
Responding to inquiries, George Lambrakis, operational director at FLM Boksburg, said they have yet to independently verify the technical findings, including the existence of the alleged fourth cable. He strongly denied any claims of the company knowingly stealing electricity, expressing concern over the timing of these allegations amidst ongoing disputes over electricity billing with Summit.
Lambrakis welcomed a full investigation into the electrical installations and committed to resolving any legitimate discrepancies transparently.
