Stolen Tshwane transformer ‘buyer’ denied bail
The Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court has denied bail to Katlego Molepo (32), who is alleged to be the buyer of a stolen R7 million transformer.
His co-accused, City of Tshwane officials Kleinbooy Mahlangu (45) from Soshanguve, Thomas Baloi (41) from Pretoria North, and Daniel Kubayi (50) from Hammanskraal, were granted bail.
All of the accused face charges related to the theft of essential infrastructure, specifically the alleged theft of a transformer from the Claudius Substation in Laudium.
“It is alleged that on the afternoon of 07 November 2024, members of the Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) and SAPS responded to a tip-off about a theft in progress at the substation. Upon arrival, they found cranes, trucks, and a City of Tshwane-branded vehicle on site. As no proof of work authorisation could be provided, eleven people were arrested at the scene. Ten were later released from custody. Another City of Tshwane official, Madimetja Jacob Malebane (38), who was also arrested at the scene, appeared in court on 28 November 2024 and was released on bail, “ said National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana.
During the police investigation, it was discovered that Mahlangu, Baloi, and Kubayi had fled the scene before law enforcement arrived.
Warrants of arrest were issued, and the three were arrested at their respective workplaces on 1 July 2025. Molepo, who is from Middleburg, handed himself over to police at the Atteridgeville Police Station on 6 July 2025.
“During his bail application, Molepo, through his legal representative, argued that the State had a weak case against him. He further claimed he should be released because he is a father of four, has a wife to support, and suffers from a chronic illness.”
However, Prosecutor Grace Komane opposed the application, citing the seriousness of the offence and Molepo’s previous conviction for defrauding the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF).
That conviction resulted in a sentence of five years' direct imprisonment or a fine of R40,000. Komane added that Molepo allegedly committed this current offence just ten months after that conviction, demonstrating a likelihood of reoffending.
The court ruled that it would not be in the interest of justice to grant Molepo bail.
The matter was postponed to 05 August 2025 for a regional court transfer.
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