Five Men Accused of Stealing R7 Million
Five men accused of stealing a transformer worth R7 million are due back in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday morning, with the case set to see the fifth suspect’s matter formally joined to the others for the first time amid ongoing investigations into essential infrastructure theft.
In a case that has highlighted vulnerabilities in South Africa’s power infrastructure, five men accused of stealing a transformer valued at R7 million from a Tshwane substation are scheduled to appear together in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court on Tuesday, 6 August 2025. The group includes three City of Tshwane municipal workers and two others, with the latest development seeing the first arrested suspect’s case merged with the rest. This follows a series of arrests linked to the theft at the Claudius Substation in Laudium last November, where the transformer was removed, causing disruptions to local electricity supply. The matter has drawn attention to the growing problem of infrastructure theft, which costs the economy billions annually and leaves communities without essential services.
Timeline of the Theft and Arrests
The incident dates back to November 2024, when the R7 million transformer was stolen from the Claudius Substation in Laudium, a suburb west of Pretoria. The substation, managed by the City of Tshwane, supplies power to residential and commercial areas, and the theft led to temporary outages while a replacement was sourced. Initial investigations pointed to an inside job, given the specialised knowledge required to dismantle and transport such heavy equipment without immediate detection.
The first suspect was arrested shortly after the theft in November 2024 and was released on bail. For months, the case progressed slowly, with only this individual facing charges initially. However, a breakthrough came in July 2025 following a tip-off to the South African Police Service (SAPS). On 1 July 2025, three City of Tshwane officials—Sphiwe Kleinbooy Mahlangu (45), Thomas Baloyi (41), and Daniel Kubayi (50)—were arrested for their alleged involvement. These men, employed in the municipality’s energy and electricity department, are accused of using their positions to facilitate the theft, including disabling security systems and coordinating the removal of the transformer.
Just days later, on 7 July 2025, a fifth suspect, Katlego Molepo (32), was apprehended. Molepo is believed to be the buyer of the stolen equipment, intending to sell it on the black market for scrap metal or reuse in illegal operations. Police recovered parts of the transformer during raids, confirming its value and the organised nature of the syndicate. All five now face charges of theft of essential infrastructure under the Criminal Matters Amendment Act, which carries severe penalties, including up to 30 years in prison, to deter crimes against critical public assets.
Court Proceedings and Bail Decisions
The suspects have made several appearances in the Atteridgeville Magistrate’s Court since July. Initially, only the three municipal workers and Molepo appeared together, with the first suspect’s case handled separately. On 2 July 2025, the trio of Tshwane officials made their first court appearance, where the matter was postponed for further investigation and bail applications. Molepo joined them on 8 July 2025, marking the first time four suspects were in court collectively.
Bail hearings revealed key differences among the accused. The three City of Tshwane workers were granted bail of R5,000 each on 9 July 2025, after the court found they posed no flight risk and had fixed addresses. The first suspect, already on bail from his initial arrest, continued under those conditions. However, Molepo was denied bail on 12 July 2025 due to a previous fraud conviction from 2022, where he served time for similar offences involving stolen goods. The magistrate cited concerns that Molepo might interfere with witnesses or abscond, given his history and the seriousness of the charges. He remains in custody at Kgosi Mampuru II Prison in Pretoria.
Tuesday’s appearance is expected to focus on joining all five cases, allowing for a unified prosecution. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) has indicated that additional evidence, including forensic reports on the recovered transformer parts and witness statements, will be presented. The defence teams for the accused have argued for leniency, with one lawyer claiming their clients were coerced or unaware of the full extent of the operation. However, the state opposes further bail for Molepo and seeks to expedite the trial to send a strong message against infrastructure sabotage.
Impact on City of Tshwane and Broader Implications
The arrests have prompted internal actions within the City of Tshwane. The three implicated officials have been suspended without pay pending disciplinary hearings, in line with municipal policies on corruption and misconduct. Tshwane mayor Cilliers Brink has condemned the theft, stating it undermines efforts to stabilise the city’s electricity supply amid national load shedding challenges. “Such acts not only cost ratepayers dearly but also erode trust in public servants,” he said in a statement following the arrests.
This case is part of a larger pattern of infrastructure theft in Gauteng, where transformers, cables, and other essential components are frequently targeted by syndicates for their copper and metal content. According to Eskom and municipal reports, South Africa loses over R45 billion annually to such crimes, exacerbating power outages and delaying service delivery. In Tshwane alone, over 50 substations have been hit in the past two years, with Laudium being a repeat target due to its proximity to scrap yards and informal settlements.
Community leaders in Laudium have expressed frustration over the incident, noting that the substation theft left hundreds of households without power for days, affecting schools, businesses, and vulnerable residents. Local councillor Yusuf Patel called for enhanced security measures, including CCTV installations and community patrols, to prevent future occurrences.
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