Police arrest alleged mastermind behind R9.9 million electricity syndicate
A major investigation into alleged municipal fraud has uncovered an electricity reconnection syndicate linked to about R9.9 million in losses at Emfuleni Municipality, with police identifying a 25-year-old woman as the alleged mastermind.
An investigation into alleged municipal fraud in Emfuleni Municipality has expanded to a R9.9 million electricity-reconnection syndicate, with police claiming a 25-year-old woman, Janitha van Reenen Coetzee, is the alleged mastermind. Coetzee was initially arrested for a separate R424 000 municipal fraud case, but was released on bail before being rearrested on new charges.
National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe revealed that Coetzee's cellphone evidence and bank transactions led to the discovery of the larger electricity syndicate, which began operating in 2024. Six victims have been identified so far, but police are not ruling out more. The syndicate allegedly offered to reconnect electricity for payment, manipulated municipal records to reflect lower debts, and instructed victims to pay directly into the suspects' bank accounts. Coetzee is expected to face additional charges at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate's Court.
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