Seven men accused of buying and reselling prepaid electricity to people, have been arrested.
According to Hawks’ spokesperson, Philani
Nkwalase, the suspects were members of a syndicate operating in groups
countrywide generating income of approximately R150 000 to R250 000 per day
from illicit sales of electricity.
The seven were arrested following a project
based investigation that ensued in May last year in Bloemfontein.
‘’They are highly organized, well-equipped,
closely networked and are difficult to track due to the fact that these
machines do not transact on a network or at a single place, but are constantly
roving. The suspects were allegedly responsible for selling illegal electricity
to pre-paid customers,’’ said Nkwalase.
The project probed the illicit sale of
electricity facilitated by illegal vendors who had, in their possession,
illegal electricity vending machines.
The suspects, aged between 28 and 67, were
arrested at various locations across Gauteng on Wednesday.
‘’During their arrest, one of the suspects
allegedly enticed the arresting officers with R100 000 gratification and was
additionally charged with corruption. Meanwhile other suspects were allegedly
found in possession of illegal firearms as well as ammunition and were
additionally charged accordingly.’’
Several cell phones, laptops, sim cards, total
cash amount of R714 800, seven luxury vehicles, electricity pre-paid vouchers
and transaction records were seized for further investigation.
All the suspects are expected to appear in the
Fochville Magistrate’s Court on Friday.
Eskom urges the public to stop buying illegal
pre-paid electricity from ghost vendors and to report information regarding
electricity theft and fraud, to the Eskom Crime Line number: 0800 11 27 22.
Done By: Mitchum George
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