SAPS
Seven suspects were arrested in the early hours of Wednesday morning when a multi-disciplinary task team swooped on various premises in Gauteng.
The suspects are believed to be part of a highly organized, well-equipped, and closely networked syndicate that illegally sells electricity to pre-paid customers.
Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase says the investigation started in Bloemfontein last year and involved investigators from Eskom, the Hawks, Tactical Response Unit and Public Order Police, to name a few.
He says the syndicates reportedly operate in groups nationally and generate income of approximately R150 000 to R250 000 per day.
During the raid on Thursday, police seized several cell phones, laptops, sim cards, R714 800 in cash, seven luxury vehicles, electricity pre-paid vouchers and transaction records.
Lieutenant Colonel Nkwalase says at one house, a suspect tried to bribe the police with a cash offer of R100 000 while another was found in possession of a firearm and ammunition.
The suspects, aged between 28 and 61, are expected to appear in the Fochville Magistrate’s Court in the Free State on Friday.
Police say the illegal practice of selling prepaid electricity results in multi-million rand losses for Eskom per annum which contributes significantly to the electricity woes of the country.
South Africans have been subjected to different stages of load shedding since last week, which escalated to stage 4 load shedding on Wednesday afternoon.
