Electricity Act, 1987 (Act No. 41 of 1987)

22. Regulator's powers of Entry, Inspection and Calling for Returns
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(1)The regulator or any person authorised thereto in writing by it, may—
(a)at all reasonable times enter upon the premises of any licensee and inspect any plant, machinery, books, accounts and other documents found thereat;
(b)call upon any licensee to furnish to the regulator or to him such periodical or other returns in such form as the regulator may from time to time prescribe, and such particulars in respect of the undertaking as the regulator may from time to time demand.

 

(2)The regulator may require that the accuracy of the returns and particulars be verified on oath by the licensee.

 

(3)Any person who refuses to allow any such inspection or fails to comply with any such demand or who wilfully hinders or obstructs the regulator or person so authorised in any such inspection shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction—
(a)to a fine not exceeding the amount which the Minister may from time to time prescribe by regulation for each day on which the refusal or failure continues; or
(b)in respect of such hindrance or obstruction to a fine not exceeding the amount which the Minister may from time to time so prescribe or to imprisonment not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

 

(4)If any person divulges information obtained by him upon such inspection except for the purposes of carrying out his duties under this Act or upon the order of or in answer to questions put to him as a witness in a court of law or at an arbitration under this Act, he shall be guilty of an offence and liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding the amount which the Minister may from time to time prescribe by regulation or to imprisonment for a period not exceeding six months or to both such fine and such imprisonment.

 

(5)Any person who has been authorised in writing in terms of subsection (1), shall exhibit such authorisation at the request of any person materially affected by his activities in terms of the said subsection.