7 Accused Linked to Emfuleni Municipality Electricity Fraud Granted Bail
Reading Time: 2 minutesSeven accused of electricity fraud against a municipality have appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court.
Image Credit: NPA
The seven people accused linked to a multi-million rand electricity fraud scheme appeared in the Vanderbijl Park Magistrates’ Court and were granted bail of R20 000 each. The accused have been linked to a multimillion-rand electricity fraud scheme involving the Emfuleni Local Municipality.
Bail conditions for electricity fraud accused
The accused have been released on strict bail conditions. They have been ordered to attend all court proceedings until the matter is finalized. Also, they will have to live in the addresses provided to the court, and notify the investigating officer of any change of address. Those accused of the electricity fraud are required to report twice weekly at the Vanderbijlpark Police Station, every Monday and Friday between 6am to 6pm.
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.
Who has been linked to the electricity fraud scheme
The seven accused who appeared in court are: 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). They 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.
How it all started
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.
After they were paid
Lumka Mahanjana, the National Prosecuting Authority Regional Spokesperson who issued the statement said: “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,” read the statement by the NPA.
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 has been postponed to 18 September 2026 for the bail judgment of the eighth accused, Janitha Van Reenen Coetzee.
