The case against the former businesswoman from the Fochville area, an Eskom employee, and two other residents in connection with alleged large-scale electricity theft is still ongoing.

Michelle Vierra, a 44-year-old former businesswoman from the area, and Harry Ngwenya, a 45-year-old Eskom employee, were arrested on June 8 alongside Katlego Moremong and Alfred Mmeko. The group was detained in Fochville on charges of fraud and tampering with essential infrastructure.

According to the investigating officer, Warrant Officer Masondo of the Gauteng organised crime unit, the group appeared in Court again on July 23.

The group was arrested after Eskom became suspicious when the details they had regarding the electrical infrastructure on the farm previously owned by Vierra did not line up with what the farm’s new owner told them when she tried to open a new account after purchasing the farm.

Because of this, Eskom officials visited the farm twice to gain clarity on what was going on and then opened a criminal case when it became clear there were serious problems.
Vierra and Mmeko are currently out on bail of R5 000 each, while Ngwenya and Moremong received bail of R10 000 each.