Hawks pounce on izinyoka-nyoka in Mpumalanga, Eastern Cape
Law enforcement in Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape have arrested four people suspected of dealing in electricity, theft of electricity and money laundering.
Three suspects were arrested by the Hawks in Tweefontein and Siyabuswa in Mpumalanga while another suspect was arrested by the police’s commercial crimes Unit in King Williams Town in the Eastern Cape on Thursday.
The suspects were found in possession of electricity customer slips, credit vouchers and meter numbers.
According to Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha, the suspects used offline Credit Dispensing Units, and fraudulently issued Eskom electricity vouchers, at a very low price, to members of the public.
“We are pursuing many leads to ensure that everybody that is involved in this gets apprehended and faces the full might of the law. There are many operations still ahead.
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Customer lists were also found during the arrests.
Mantshantsha says the phone used to transmit the credit recharge vouchers to the customers was confiscated and will be used as evidence.
He further warns customers will also have the book thrown at them.
“With the support of the Hawks and the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU), Eskom has intensified its campaign to curb illegal electricity vending and is tracing, and will ensure the arrest and prosecution of all individuals who are involved in this illegal vending.
“With the assistance of the Hawks, we shall ensure that all individuals involved in illegal sale of electricity are apprehended.”
Mantshantsha adds more arrests are imminent.
