SEVEN ACCUSED LINKED TO EMFULENI MUNICIPALITY ELECTRICITY FRAUD GRANTED BAIL
BY: CHANON LECODEY MERRICKS | ONLINE EDITOR
SEVEN ACCUSED LINKED TO EMFULENI MUNICIPALITY ELECTRICITY FRAUD GRANTED BAIL
The Vanderbijlpark Magistrates' Court has granted bail of R20 000 each to seven accused persons linked to the multimillion-rand electricity fraud scheme involving the Emfuleni Local Municipality.
The accused were released on strict bail conditions, including that they must attend all court proceedings until the matter is finalised, reside at the addresses provided to the court, and notify the investigating officer of any change of address. They are further required to report twice weekly at the Vanderbijlpark Police Station, every Monday and Friday between 06:00 and 18:00.
In addition, the accused are prohibited from leaving the country and have been ordered to surrender their passports to the investigating officer. They may not apply for new travel documents and are prohibited from interfering with witnesses or the ongoing investigation.
The accused, namely David Seneekal (31), Caroline Smangele Maduna (39), Kenneth Zongezile Mahobe (35), Hlawutelo Baloyi (29), Pule Meshack Masilo (36), Andries Bafana Maduna (48), and Sibusiso Patrick Tshabalala (46), face charges of fraud, theft of electricity valued at approximately R9.9 million, fraud and theft involving a further R150 000, money laundering, and tampering with essential infrastructure.
It is alleged that between February 2024 and June 2026, the Emfuleni Local Municipality disconnected the electricity supply of businesses and residents whose accounts were in arrears. The accused allegedly approached affected business owners and residents and offered to reconnect their electricity supply in exchange for payment.
After receiving payment, the accused allegedly unlawfully reconnected the electricity supply and manipulated municipal records to reflect a reduced outstanding balance on the affected accounts.
In subsequent months, however, the affected consumers' municipal accounts allegedly reverted to reflecting the original outstanding amounts that had appeared before they were approached by the accused. Despite this, their electricity supply remained connected through the alleged illegal reconnections.
The affected complainants reported the matter to the municipality. Following an internal investigation, the municipality referred the matter to the South African Police Service for criminal investigation. The seven accused were subsequently arrested on 21 August 2026.
The State opposed the accused's release on bail. However, the court found that their release was in the interests of justice and granted bail subject to the conditions imposed.
The matter was postponed to 18 September 2026 for the bail judgment of the eighth accused, Janitha Van Reenen Coetzee.
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