FREE STATE ‐ Sibusiso Alfred Migai (33), Sipho Joseph Mdlalose (38), Phindile Florence Mdlalose (28), Donald Vusumuzi Rammusi (32) and Magala Petros Mohapi (42), as well as Victor Mdlalose (67) appeared before the Fochville Magistrate Court on Friday, 11 June 2021 where they were facing charges of fraud and theft.

They were arrested on Wednesday, 09 June 2021 by a multidisciplinary team that swooped on various premises in Gauteng. The joint team traced and disrupted the criminal network responsible for large-scale pre-paid electricity fraud and theft.

Their arrests was effected during the first phase of the project driven investigation carried out by the Free State Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team in concert with Eskom Investigators, Hawks Digital Forensic Investigation (DFI), Tactical Response Team (TRT), Public Order Policing (POP) as well as Local Criminal Record Centre (LCRC).

The case against the ghost vending accused has been postponed to Friday, 18 June 2021 for consultation and Friday, 25 June 2021 for formal bail applications.

Source: South African Police Service