Fochville Man Who Allegedly Made Over R36 Million Selling Eskom Electricity Vouchers Stuns SA
- A man responsible for generating over R36 million for selling Eskom vouchers appeared at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court recently
- His operations involved 13 other people and a former Eskom employee and they sold electricity fraudulently
- Netizens made fun of the man's predicament and jokingly roasted him after he was caught
Tebogo Mokwena, a Briefly News current affairs journalist in Johannesburg, South Africa, covered police investigations and court cases at Daily Sun for over four years.
Source: Getty Images
The man responsible for allegedly defrauding Eskom of over R36 million by selling prepaid electricity vouchers worked with a former Eskom employee. The man and his accomplices reportedly ran a syndicate which supplied electricity vouchers in Johannesburg. South Africans laughed at the man's daring criminal act, and many turned the matter into a joke.
Man's electricity voucher syndicate exposed.
According to SowetanLIVE, Maqala Mohapi and 13 of his accomplices appeared recently at the Palm Ridge Magistrates Court facing a list of charges, including money laundering, theft, corruption and the illegal possession of a semi-automatic firearm.
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The case has been postponed. The mastermind behind the operation was Ben Theletsane, who worked for Eskom. When he died in 2017, his wife took over the operation with their three sons.
It is alleged that Mohapi started his operation in 2011 and would send a lackey to retrieve electricity meter numbers. After generating electricity, he would get money from the operation. He also allegedly stole the machine used to create electricity from Eskom's Fochville offices. The National Prosecuting Authority found that they generated over R36 million from the operation.
When one of the suspects, Victor Mdlalose, was arrested in 2021, he reportedly offered the Hawks R100K to avoid arrest. He called Joseph Mdlalose to bring the money and both were arrested.
South Africans roast the man
South Africans on Facebook joked about the case.
Leonard Ribo Davids said:
“He followed the government’s example, but at least he delivered electricity to households.”
Marcus wa Bapedi wrote:
“Give him his Nobel Peace Prize.”
Lesiba Masipa added:
“It was turned into a family business. South Africa is a reality show.”
Themba Hadebe remarked:
“The good life in RSA can only be realised by the unemployed. They are not even subjected to a lifestyle audit.”
Tolo Dlangamandla Alex was amazed.
“If he was a politician, he would not be exposed.”
Nzuzo Njilo implicated in chrome fraud allegations
In a similar article, Briefly News reported that Faith Nketsi's husband, Nzuzo Njilo, recently trended after fraud allegations arose.
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It is alleged that Njilo was accused of a R1,5 million fraud connected to 1,000 tons of chrome. This was after he recently appeared in court for the fraudulent sale of a truck in 2021. Netizens turned on Faith Nketsi and roasted her and her husband. One even commented:
“Baddies love criminals.”
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Source: Briefly News
