She had barely walked out of court after recently securing bail when the handcuffs came out again. Janitha van Reenen, 25, was re-arrested outside the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court today (September 3), reports Sedibeng Ster.

Her second arrest came shortly after she appeared in connection with a separate alleged R424 000 fraud case involving Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM).

Van Reenen was released on R10 000 bail in that matter after three unsuccessful bail applications at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court.

She was granted bail at the Johannesburg High Court last week Monday. In a dramatic twist, Van Reneen’s freedom was short-lived.

This comes after the Political Killing Task Team investigators swooped on her outside court over allegations that she was the mastermind behind an alleged R9.9m electricity scam involving the same embattled municipality.

The alleged syndicate includes seven other accused who are reportedly linked to the scheme as service providers and municipal employees. In the R424 000 case, Van Reenen is accused of posing as an independent agent who could help residents secure discounts on their outstanding municipal accounts.

It is alleged that desperate residents handed her money to make discounted payments to the municipality on their behalf. Police allege the money was never paid over to the municipality.

She is also accused of submitting claims to ELM on behalf of residents, with the municipality allegedly paying about R424 000 to her instead of the intended beneficiaries.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed Van Reenen’s latest arrest.

She is expected to appear in court again on September 7, facing charges of theft, damage to and theft of critical infrastructure, and money laundering.

The arrest forms part of ongoing investigations into a syndicate allegedly involved in the illegal connection of electricity and related criminal activities in the Emfuleni Local Municipality. 

Police investigations are continuing, with authorities working to identify and apprehend all those involved in the illegal electricity connection network.

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