Second accused in Tshwane transformer theft denies involvement, says device was old
Three City of Tshwane officials were arrested this week in connection with the theft of the R7 million transformer that was taken from a Laudium substation.
Thomas Baloyi and his two co-accused appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrates Court on Friday.
READ: Suspect in City of Tshwane transformer theft case plans to plead not guilty
Baloyi told the court he could prove he was not involved in the crime and wanted to be released on bail.
Advocate Siyabulela Pendani read a statement from his client.
"The transformer that is said that I have tampered with is a 1976 transformer, which is disused and was discarded. I will prove to the court that I have never tampered or seek to steal essential infrastructure, and I was on duty on the said day as an employee of the City of Tshwane."
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JOHANNESBURG - The second accused in the transformer theft denies being involved, saying the device was old and disused. Three City of Tshwane officials were arrested this week in connection with the theft of the R7 million transformer that was taken from a Laudium substation. Thomas Baloyi and his two co-accused appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrates Court on Friday. READ: Suspect in City of Tshwane transformer theft case plans to plead not guilty Baloyi told the court he could prove he was not involved in the crime and wanted to be released on bail. Advocate Siyabulela Pendani read a statement from his client. "The transformer that is said that I have tampered with is a 1976 transformer, which is disused and was discarded. I will prove to the court that I have never tampered or seek to steal essential infrastructure, and I was on duty on the said day as an employee of the City of Tshwane."
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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.
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