The seven accused appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court, where they were granted bail of R20,000 each under. Image: NPA
Vanderbijlpark
1Min
South Africa
Seven accused in R10 million Emfuleni electricity fraud granted bail
Seven people accused of illegally reconnecting electricity and manipulating municipal accounts in a multimillion-rand fraud scheme involving Emfuleni Local Municipality have been granted R20,000 bail each.
The seven accused appeared in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court, where they were granted bail of R20,000 each under strict conditions.
They face charges including fraud, theft of electricity valued at approximately R9.9 million, an additional fraud and theft charge involving R150,000, money laundering and tampering with essential infrastructure.
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.
The State opposed their release on bail, but the court found that granting bail was in the interests of justice.
The accused must attend all court proceedings, remain at the addresses provided to the court and inform the investigating officer of any change of address.
They are also required to report twice a week at Vanderbijlpark Police Station, every Monday and Friday between 06:00 and 18:00.
They have been barred from leaving South Africa and must surrender their passports to the investigating officer. They are also prohibited from applying for new travel documents, interfering with witnesses or obstructing the ongoing investigation.
According to the allegations, between February 2024 and June 2026, Emfuleni Local Municipality disconnected electricity supplies to businesses and residents whose accounts were in arrears.
The accused allegedly approached some of the affected consumers and offered to reconnect their electricity in exchange for payments.
After receiving the money, they allegedly unlawfully reconnected the electricity and manipulated municipal records to show lower outstanding balances on the affected accounts.
The accounts allegedly later reverted to their original outstanding amounts, although the electricity supplies remained connected through the alleged illegal reconnections.
The affected consumers reported the matter to the municipality, which conducted an internal investigation before referring the case to the South African Police Service for criminal investigation.
The seven accused were arrested on 21 August 2026.
The bail application of the eighth accused, Janitha Van Reenen Coetzee, is expected to be dealt with on 18 September 2026.
