Former local businesswoman and Eskom Employee among four accused in Fochville electricity theft case
Four suspects granted bail after appearing in court on charges linked to alleged large-scale electricity theft and infrastructure tampering.
A former businesswoman from the Fochville area, an Eskom employee, and two other residents appeared in court in connection with alleged large-scale electricity theft this week.
Michelle Vierra, a 44-year-old former businesswoman, and Harry Ngwenya, a 45-year-old Eskom employee, were arrested on 8 June alongside Katlego Moremong, 30, and Alfred Mmeko, 55. The group was detained in Fochville on charges of fraud and tampering with essential infrastructure.
Following their initial court appearance on June 9, they returned to the Fochville Magistrates Court on June 11, where they were all granted bail. Vierra and Mmeko were released on bail of R5 000 each, while Ngwenya and Moremong received bail of R10 000 each. The case has been postponed, and they are due to appear in court again next month.
The arrests followed a joint crackdown by SAPS and Eskom investigators targeting illegal electricity connections and energy theft. As far as could be determined, the new owner of the farm across from Kraalkop Hotel, where Vierra previously conducted her business, noticed something was wrong with her account after she purchased the property and contacted Eskom, who alerted other authorities to investigate.
Eskom’s national spokesperson Daphne Mokwena said Eskom continues to act decisively against criminal activities that undermine the power system and burden taxpayers.
“While the vast majority of our 40 000 employees remain dedicated to delivering a reliable electricity supply, we will not hesitate to root out the few who betray that trust,” she added.
“We reaffirm our zero tolerance for fraud, corruption, and energy theft and continue to work closely with the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) Energy Safety & Security Priority Committee as every arrest and prosecution strengthens our ability to reduce non–technical losses, protect essential infrastructure, and safeguard South Africa’s electricity supply for all.”
Mokwena concluded by urging local communities to work with law enforcement to tackle these escalating crimes, asking anyone with information to contact local authorities or use the Eskom Crime Line.
