The accused are David Senekal, 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. They face charges of fraud, theft of electricity valued at approximately R9.9m, fraud and theft involving a further R150,000, money laundering, and tampering with essential infrastructure.

NPA regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said it is alleged that between February 2024 and June this year, the municipality disconnected the electricity supply of businesses and residents whose accounts were in arrears.

“The accused allegedly approached affected parties 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 affected accounts.

Mahanjana said in subsequent months, the affected consumers’ municipal accounts allegedly reverted to the original outstanding amount. “Despite this, their electricity supply remained connected through the alleged illegal reconnections.”

They reported the matter to the municipality. After an internal investigation, the municipality referred the matter to the police for criminal investigation. The seven accused were subsequently arrested on 21 August.

The state opposed the accused’s release on bail. However, the court found their release was in the interests of justice and granted bail subject to the conditions imposed.

They were released on strict conditions. 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 also required to report twice a week at the Vanderbijlpark police station.

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 matter was postponed to 18 September for the bail judgment of the eighth accused, Janitha van Reenen Coetzee.

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