VANDERBIJLPARK, GAUTENG — Seven Emfuleni Municipality employees have been arrested in Gauteng for alleged fraud, theft, and tampering with essential infrastructure. The suspects, who are attached to the municipality’s Revenue and Electrical Departments, are accused of orchestrating an illegal scheme to reconnect disconnected electricity services in exchange for direct payments into their personal bank accounts.
The arrests were the result of a coordinated takedown operation led by the Provincial Anti-Corruption Task Team (PKTT). According to law enforcement, the initial five suspects were apprehended on Friday, while the remaining two were taken into custody on Saturday morning in Vanderbijlpark.
SAPS Spokesperson Athlenda Mathe confirmed that the illicit reconnections have resulted in substantial electricity theft and severe financial losses for the municipality. The suspects allegedly misrepresented themselves as authorized municipal officials, approaching residents whose power had been legally disconnected due to unpaid fees. They would then offer to restore the electricity services for an unauthorized fee.
While the exact amounts charged to residents remain unclear at this stage, investigators note that the funds were funneled directly into the employees’ private accounts before the illegal grid reconnections were made.
The seven accused are scheduled to make their first appearance at the Vanderbijlpark Magistrate’s Court. Authorities have emphasized that investigations are actively ongoing, and further arrests are expected as the probe expands. Details regarding the full scope of the illegal scheme and the progress of the investigation will be formally presented by the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) and police once court proceedings officially get underway.
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