Seven granted bail in R9.9m Emfuleni electricity fraud case

A multimillion-rand electricity fraud investigation involving Emfuleni Local Municipality has moved back into the spotlight after the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court released seven accused on bail of R20,000 each on September 14, 2026.

The accused face charges including fraud, theft of electricity valued at about R9.9 million, a further alleged R150,000 fraud and theft, money laundering and tampering with essential infrastructure.

They 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.

According to the National Prosecuting Authority, the alleged scheme operated between February 2024 and June 2026.

It is alleged that after Emfuleni Local Municipality disconnected electricity supplies to businesses and residents with accounts in arrears, the accused approached affected consumers and offered to reconnect their electricity in exchange for payment.

The accused allegedly carried out unlawful reconnections and manipulated municipal records to reflect reduced outstanding balances.

In later months, the affected consumers’ municipal accounts allegedly reverted to the original outstanding balances, while their electricity remained connected through the alleged illegal reconnections.

The matter was eventually reported to the municipality, which conducted an internal investigation before referring the case to police.

The seven accused were arrested on August 21, 2026.

The State opposed bail, but the court found that their release was in the interests of justice.

As part of their bail conditions, the accused must attend all court proceedings, remain at the addresses provided to the court and report to Vanderbijlpark Police Station every Monday and Friday between 06:00 and 18:00.

They are also prohibited from leaving South Africa, must surrender their passports, may not apply for new travel documents and may not interfere with witnesses or the investigation.

The case was postponed to September 18, 2026, for the bail judgment of an eighth accused, Janitha Van Reenen Coetzee.