Emfuleni awaits internal probe before acting against seven employees

The Emfuleni Local Municipality in the Vaal region of Gauteng has stated that it will wait for both criminal proceedings and its own internal investigation to conclude before taking any action against seven employees allegedly involved in a criminal activity. The employees appeared in Vanderbijlpark Magistrates' Court on Monday, facing charges related to an alleged R150,000 electricity reconnection scheme.

The charges claim that residents and businesses were charged for the illegal restoration of their electricity, while municipal records were manipulated to show reduced outstanding balances while the original debts remained unpaid. Mayoral Spokesperson Lucky Shashaoka revealed that the municipality is currently unable to suspend the seven employees at this stage, as it awaits the completion of both the criminal case and the internal investigation.

He emphasized that appropriate action will be taken by the municipality once the parallel processes are completed, and labor laws will be applied accordingly.