Five suspects aged between 36 and 47 were arrested in the early hours of today in Rustenburg, North West province by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team based in Bethlehem for selling illegal pre-paid electricity.

Their arrests were effected during the third phase of the project driven investigation carried out by the Hawks in Free State in concert with Eskom Investigators. This project driven investigation began in May 2020 in Bloemfontein, Free State probing the illicit sale of electricity facilitated by illegal vendors who have in their possession illegal electricity vending machines. ‘Ghost vending’ involves the illegal sales and purchases of electricity.

The suspects are expected to appear before the Fochville Magistrates’ Court  tomorrow, 01 October 2021.

Source: South African Police Service