Seven Emfuleni Local Municipality employees accused of fraud, theft, money laundering and tampering with essential infrastructure will remain in custody until their next court appearance on 31 August 2026.

The accused appeared briefly in the Vanderbijlpark Magistrates’ Court on Monday following their arrests over alleged illegal electricity reconnections involving businesses and residents whose municipal accounts were in arrears.

The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) said the seven employees have not been granted bail and remain in custody.

They are David Seneekal, 31, Caroline Smangele Maduna, 39, Kenneth Zongezile Mahobe, 35, Hlawutelo Baloyi, 29, Pule Meshack Masilo, 36, Andries Bafana Maduna, 48, and Sibusiso Patrick Tshabalala, 46.

The matter was postponed to 31 August for a formal bail application.

The accused face charges relating to fraud, theft amounting to R150 000, money laundering and tampering with essential infrastructure.

According to the NPA, the alleged offences took place between February 2024 and June 2026.

It is alleged that during this period, the municipality disconnected electricity supplies to businesses and residents whose accounts were in arrears.

The accused allegedly approached some of the affected business owners and residents and offered to reconnect their electricity in exchange for payments.

The NPA alleges that after receiving money from complainants, the accused unlawfully reconnected their electricity supplies.

They allegedly also manipulated municipal records to show that the amounts owed on the affected accounts had been reduced.

However, the NPA said that in subsequent months, the electricity accounts would reflect the original amounts owed before the alleged intervention by the accused.

Despite the accounts showing the original debt, the electricity supplies of the affected customers allegedly remained connected because of the illegal reconnections.

The alleged conduct was reported to the municipality by complainants.

The municipality subsequently conducted internal investigations into the allegations before reporting the matter to the police.

The seven employees were arrested on 21 August 2026.

Their arrests followed the municipality’s internal investigations and subsequent police investigation into the alleged illegal reconnections and manipulation of municipal electricity accounts.

The accused will remain in custody until their next appearance, when they are expected to formally apply for bail.

The case comes amid ongoing concerns about criminal activity involving municipal services and infrastructure.

The NPA said it remained committed to prosecuting corruption, fraud and crimes that undermine essential public infrastructure and service delivery.

NPA regional spokesperson for the Gauteng Division in Pretoria, Lumka Mahanjana, said such offences had broader consequences for communities relying on municipal services.

The NPA said crimes of this nature erode public trust and prejudice communities that depend on reliable municipal services.

The prosecution authority said it would continue working with law enforcement agencies to hold those responsible for such offences accountable.

Their next court appearance is scheduled for 31 August 2026, when the formal bail application is expected to be heard.