Seven Emfuleni municipality employees granted R20,000 bail in alleged electricity fraud

The seven accused are named as 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.

According to NPA regional spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana, the group faces multiple charges including fraud; theft of electricity valued at approximately R9.9 million; a further fraud and theft charge involving R150,000; money laundering; and tampering with essential infrastructure.

Allegations and investigation

Mahanjana said the accused were arrested on 21 August 2026 following an investigation into illegal electricity reconnections in Emfuleni.

She said, according to the allegations, that between February 2024 and June 2026 the municipality disconnected electricity supplies to businesses and residents whose municipal accounts were in arrears. The accused allegedly approached some affected consumers, offered to reconnect their electricity for payment, reconnected supplies after receiving payment, and manipulated municipal records to show reduced outstanding balances.

Mahanjana said that in subsequent months the affected consumers’ municipal accounts allegedly reverted to the original outstanding amounts reflected before the accused approached them, while their electricity supplies allegedly remained connected. Affected complainants reportedly reported the matter to the municipality, which referred it to the South African Police Service for criminal investigation.

Bail conditions and next steps

The State opposed release at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court, but the court found that the accused’s release was in the interests of justice and granted bail of R20,000 each.

Mahanjana outlined strict bail conditions imposed on the seven accused: they must attend all court proceedings until the matter is finalised, reside at the addresses provided to the court, notify the investigating officer of any change of address, and report twice a week at the Vanderbijlpark Police Station every Monday and Friday between 06:00 and 18:00. They are prohibited from leaving South Africa, must surrender their passports, are banned from applying for new travel documents, and must not interfere with witnesses or the ongoing investigation.

Case progress

The matter has been postponed to 18 September 2026 for the bail judgment of an eighth accused, 25-year-old Janitha Van Reenen Coetzee, who is alleged to be the mastermind behind the scheme.