Seven accused, linked to an alleged R9.9 million electricity fraud scheme involving the Emfuleni Local Municipality, have been granted R20 000 bail each by the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court.
The accused 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 were arrested on 21 August 2026 following an investigation into alleged illegal electricity reconnections.
According to the State, between February 2024 and June 2026, the accused allegedly targeted residents and business owners whose electricity had been disconnected due to unpaid municipal accounts. They allegedly charged consumers money to reconnect electricity illegally and manipulated municipal records to show reduced outstanding balances.
The matter came to light when affected consumers noticed their municipal accounts had returned to the original amounts owed despite payments made to the accused.
The complaints were reported to the municipality, which conducted an internal investigation before referring the matter to the SAPS. The accused face charges including fraud, theft of electricity worth approximately R9.9 million, fraud and theft involving a further R150 000, money laundering and tampering with essential infrastructure.
As part of their bail conditions, the accused must report to the Vanderbijlpark Police Station every Monday and Friday, to surrender their passports, remain at their listed addresses and refrain from interfering with witnesses or the ongoing investigation.
The case was postponed to 18 September 2026 for the bail judgment of an eighth accused, Janitha Van Reenen Coetzee.
