Gauteng authorities have arrested an eighth suspect believed to be the alleged mastermind behind a syndicate linked to illegal electricity connections and the theft of critical infrastructure within Emfuleni Local Municipality.
According to authorities, the Gauteng Provincial Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (PKTT) arrested the woman shortly after she was released on bail on Thursday, September 3, in connection with an unrelated matter.
The suspect is expected to make her first court appearance on Monday, 7 September.
She is facing charges including theft, damage to and theft of critical infrastructure, and money laundering.
Her arrest forms part of an ongoing investigation into a suspected criminal network allegedly responsible for illegal electricity connections and related activities affecting municipal infrastructure in Emfuleni.
The latest arrest brings the number of suspects linked to the investigation to eight.
Illegal electricity connections and the theft or vandalism of electrical infrastructure can have serious consequences for communities, including power interruptions, damage to the electricity network and safety risks for residents and municipal workers.
Authorities said investigations remain underway as law enforcement works to identify and apprehend other people who may be connected to the alleged network.
The accused has not yet pleaded to the charges, and the allegations against her remain to be tested in court.
