Case of Tshwane workers linked to R7 million transformer theft postponed
Image: Supplied
The case of the three City of Tshwane municipal workers arrested on Tuesday for allegedly stealing a transformer worth around R7 million at the Laudium electricity substation has been postponed to Friday for a formal bail application.
The suspects appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court on Wednesday after being arrested by the SAPS as part of an ongoing investigation linking them to the theft of a transformer last year.
The trio, Sphiwe Mahlangu, 45, Thomas Baloyi, 41, and Daniel Kubayi, 50, appeared in court on charges of theft of essential infrastructure and will remain in custody pending their next court appearance.
The SAPS in Gauteng reported that the arrest is part of an ongoing investigation launched in November 2024, which initially led to the arrest of 11 suspects.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad Loading
Of these, 10 subcontractors were released due to a lack of evidence, while one municipal worker remains in custody and is set to appear in court on August 8, 2025.
The Gauteng Organised Crime Unit's investigation led to the arrest of three municipal employees, according to police.
They also said transformer theft is not a new issue in the metro, and while this case involves a large sum specific to Tshwane, smaller transformer thefts have been reported elsewhere.
Police expect more arrests as investigations continue.
Tshwane district Commissioner, Major General Samuel Thine, said police are making progress because theft of essential infrastructure cripples the country's economy and affects households, leading to electricity shortages when the infrastructure is stolen and diverted.
The city said the arrested individuals are employees linked to the incident, which significantly compromised the power infrastructure and security.
Municipal spokesperson Lindela Mashigo said the arrests are a crucial step towards accountability and deterrence, emphasising that residents deserve uninterrupted services and infrastructure protected from deliberate damage and sabotage.
rapula.moatshe@inl.co.za
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Eyewitness News
12 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
CoCT offers R100k reward for information on recent Mitchells Plain shootings
CAPE TOWN – The City of Cape Town (CoCT) is offering a R100,000 reward to anyone who can provide information to help police arrest suspects involved in the recent Mitchells Plain shootings. The city said it was working closely with the South African Police Service (SAPS) to restore calm to the area. On Thursday, 10 people were shot in three separate incidents in Beacon Valley, leaving three dead. Two more people were killed in shooting incidents in Tafelsig and Town centre. READ: WC anti-gang unit launches manhunt after 5 people shot and killed in Mitchells Plain Cape Town's acting mayor, Eddie Andrews, said the city is calling on residents to come forward with information about the incidents. "The recent shootings in Mitchells Plain are a direct threat to the safety and well-being of our communities. This level of violence will not be tolerated. [The] City is offering a R100,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.'
Eyewitness News
14 hours ago
- Eyewitness News
Suspect in City of Tshwane transformer theft case plans to plead not guilty
JOHANNESBURG - The Atteridgeville Magistrates Court has heard how one of the three suspects in the transformer theft case plans to plead not guilty. Three municipal workers returned to the dock on Friday after their arrest linked to the theft of an R7-million transformer from the Laudium substation. Siphiwe Mahlangu, Thomas Baloyi and Daniel Kubayi, who are all City of Tshwane employees, are applying for bail. On Friday, the court heard that 45-year-old Mahlangu had no previous convictions, no pending cases or warrants of arrest. READ: Police in Tshwane arrest 3 municipal workers for theft of R7 million transformer His attorney, Thabiso Mphahlele, disclosed to the court that in the 90s his client only had a traffic violation, which he paid a fine for. Mahlangu's bail statement further stated that he was a father to three minors and the provider for his wife and children. His lawyer read the statement to the court.
IOL News
14 hours ago
- IOL News
Mchunu faces backlash over R120. 8 billion police budget
Minister of Police Senzo Mchunu said they have prioritised budget allocation to Gauteng, KZN, Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape, where crime is concentrated. Image: Jacques Naude / Independent Newspapers Police Minister Senzo Mchunu on Friday said the parties that did not support the budget for his department were unrealistic and reacting excessively. 'Those who say they don't support the budget, what they mean is that in the areas and homes where they come from, they want us to withdraw the services that are there. Your reaction says what you say is unrealistic. It is being excessive unnecessarily,' Mchunu said. He made the statement when responding to the budget debate for SAPS, the Independent Police Investigative Directorate, and the Civilian Secretariat for Police Service after presenting the department's R120.8 billion budget for 2025/26. Mchunu said they appreciated the allocation, but was under no illusion about the scale of the task ahead. 'The work that needs to be done far exceeds the resources available. Crime is adaptive, dynamic and, in many cases, well-financed and so must our response be.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Mchunu said of the total allocation, R219.2 million was for securing the G20 conference scheduled for November, R400m for the 2026 local government elections, and R34.8m to support the costs associated with the appointment of an additional deputy minister as well as R150m for the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI). The salaries and benefits of employees take a huge chunk of the total budget. The minister said they have prioritised budget allocation to Gauteng, KwaZulu-Natal, Western Cape, and the Eastern Cape, where crime is concentrated. 'It is clear that identified high crime zones in all four provinces require intelligence-led targeted deployment of specialised units to combat criminality, over and above Operation Shanela. A total of 225 hotspot police stations have been identified, demanding targeted and synchronised interventions." A total of R85 million has been allocated to support the top 30 high-contact crime stations. MK Party MP David Skosana said South Africans were betrayed by the institutions meant to safeguard them. 'SAPS and IPID fail in their mandate to protect and be held accountable,' he said. Skosana said SAPS was supposed to serve the people, but there were horrifying crimes against women and children, while the detection rate for murder was at a critically low level. 'This budget, if passed in the current form, is a death sentence. Thousands of South Africans will continue to be failed by the State.' Skosana observed that R72bn was channelled towards administration, R24bn to detectives, and R1.7bn to the forensic science laboratories. EFF MP Leigh-Ann Mathys said SAPS was a criminal syndicate where there was institutionalised criminality. 'If there is no urgent reform, there is nothing that is going to happen. You can hire as many more young recruits, these young recruits will be recruited into criminality that is deeply embedded in SAPS,' Mathys said. ACDP leader Kenneth Meshoe decried the mass arrest of senior police officials and said that despite an increase in the budget, there were systemic failures. DA MP Ian Cameron said effective policing should have integrity as its foundation. 'We should be able to say it must be a practical commitment to make,' he said. In response, Mchunu said 5,500 police trainees were receiving training at the various SAPS academies nationwide. 'We have advertised for the recruitment of 5,500 police trainees, who will commence with their training between January and February 2026. On the 30th of June, we introduced the online electronic recruitment system, allowing for applicants to apply online – a first for the organisation.' He also said the DPCI will strengthen its focus on national priority crimes, including serious corruption, cybercrime, and unresolved cases linked to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission. The DPCI will also undertake a comprehensive recruitment drive in 2025/26 with internal advertisement of 300 posts through a post-promotion process, 250 police trainees with qualifications in law, forensic investigation, and information technology will be placed within the directorate. 'The DPCI has also advertised 85 posts externally and plans to advertise a further 175 posts to capacitate the DPCI, including to attract skills such as forensic accountants, IT specialists, and financial investigators.' Mchunu added that before the end of this year, a temporary forensic science laboratory would be functional in KwaZulu-Natal. 'It will be helpful in terms of reducing backlogs that pile up in Gauteng,' he said. Mchunu also mentioned that negotiations were under way with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research to establish an additional forensic science laboratory. 'We hope this will go a long way to meet our obligations,' he added.
