Seven Emfuleni municipal workers remain behind bars over alleged R150,000 electricity scam
Seven Emfuleni municipal employees remain behind bars over an alleged R150 000 electricity reconnection scheme in which customers were allegedly charged to have their power illegally restored.
Seven municipal workers in Emfuleni stand accused of a R150,000 electricity scam, according to prosecutors. The alleged scheme, active from February 2024 to June 2026, saw residents and businesses charged for illegally reconnected electricity after being disconnected. The accused, including David Seneekal, Caroline Smangele Maduna, Kenneth Zongezile Mahobe, Hlawutelo Baloyi, Pule Meshack Masilo, Andries Bafana Maduna, and Sibusiso Patrick Tshabalala, allegedly approached customers whose electricity was disconnected for outstanding municipal accounts.
They offered to reconnect electricity in exchange for payment, then manipulated records to reflect reduced owed amounts. These individuals face charges of fraud, theft, money laundering, and tampering with essential infrastructure. The scheme emerged following complaints to the municipality, which launched an internal investigation before referring the matter to police.
Five suspects were arrested on August 21 by the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team, with two more arrested on August 23. Police allege the suspects posed as authorized officials, instructing clients to pay sums directly to their bank accounts for illegal reconnections. Emfuleni Mayor Hassan Mako expressed concern over the impact on the municipality's financial stability, while DA Emfuleni candidate Kingsol Chabalala called for an expanded investigation to hold all involved accountable.
The suspects are set to appear in Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court on August 31 for bail considerations.
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