VANDERBIJLPARK – The seven employees of Emfuleni Local Municipality (ELM) who were arrested over an alleged electricity reconnection scheme remain behind bars.

This comes after they appeared briefly at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court on Monday afternoon on charges of fraud, money laundering, corruption and tampering with essential infrastructure.

David Senekal, Caroline Maduna, Keneth Mahobe, Hlawutelo Baloyi, Pule Masilo, Bafana Maduna and Sibusiso Shabalala were arrested last week and are now facing four schedule five charges, meaning the bail application will be subject to more stringent requirements.

On Sunday, police stated they were attached to the Revenue and Electrical Departments.
According to police report, the Gauteng Political Killings Task Team (PKTT) first arrested five employees on Friday (August 21) following a takedown operation.

Preliminary investigations have established that the suspects allegedly operated a scheme in which they misrepresented themselves to municipal clients as duly authorised officials who could reconnect electricity supplies that had been disconnected by the municipality.

Clients were allegedly instructed to pay various amounts of money directly into the suspects’ bank accounts in exchange for the illegal reconnection of electricity.

The suspects are further alleged to have unlawfully reconnected electricity supplies without the authorisation of the municipality, resulting in the illegal use of electricity and financial losses to the municipality.

On Sunday (August 23) two more employees were arrested.

During their appearance, the group wore big puffer jackets and masks and listened in as the state unpacked their case in a gallery packed to its knees.
State Prosecutor Titus Daniso hinted that more charges and arrests were expected as investigations continue.

From the defence’s side, the court heard applications to allow the suspects to submit warning statements.

The case has since been postponed to August 31 for a formal bail hearing. All seven suspects remain behind bars.