A Pretoria court has refused to grant bail to the alleged mastermind behind a brazen R7 million transformer theft that left thousands of Laudium residents without power last year.
Katlego Molepo, 32, from Middelburg, appeared at the Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court where his bail application was firmly rejected, despite his lawyer’s plea citing his role as a father of four and his chronic illness.
The crime that shocked laudium
The audacious theft unfolded on the afternoon of 7 November 2024, when police received a tip-off about suspicious activity at the Claudius Substation in Laudium. What officers discovered was nothing short of remarkable – cranes, trucks, and even a City of Tshwane-branded vehicle were on site, apparently removing the massive transformer in broad daylight.
When police demanded proof of work authorization, none could be provided. Eleven people were arrested on the spot, though ten were later released. The stolen transformer, worth R7 million, is crucial infrastructure that powers thousands of homes and businesses in the area.
City officials walk free on bail
While Molepo remains behind bars, three City of Tshwane officials involved in the alleged scheme have been granted bail – Kleinbooy Mahlangu from Soshanguve, Thomas Baloi from Pretoria North and Daniel Kubayi from Hammanskraal.
These officials had fled the scene before police arrived but were tracked down and arrested at their workplaces seven months later, on 1 July. A fourth official, Madimetja Jacob Malebane, was arrested at the scene and has already been released on bail.
Previous conviction seals Molepo’s fate
Molepo’s bid for freedom was derailed by his criminal history. Prosecutor Grace Komane revealed that he had been convicted of defrauding the Unemployment Insurance Fund (UIF) and received a five-year prison sentence or R40 000 fine – just ten months before the transformer theft.
“The accused allegedly committed this current offence just ten months after that conviction, demonstrating a likelihood of reoffending,” Komane argued.
Court’s decisive ruling
Despite his lawyer’s arguments about his family responsibilities and health condition, the magistrate was unmoved.
“The accused is facing a serious charge. His medical condition can be managed while in custody. He failed to provide evidence that his children would suffer undue hardship if he were not granted bail.”
The court concluded that releasing Molepo would not serve the interests of justice, given the severity of infrastructure theft and its impact on communities.
The case has been postponed to 5 August for transfer to the regional court, where more serious sentences can be imposed if the accused are found guilty.
Infrastructure theft has become a major problem across South Africa, with criminals targeting valuable equipment from power stations, substations, and other essential facilities. The theft of transformers particularly affects communities as it can leave entire neighborhoods without electricity for extended periods.
National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, confirmed that the state will continue to pursue the matter vigorously as part of efforts to combat infrastructure crime that costs the economy billions annually.
