Image credit: Simphiwe Nkosi/EWN
The Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court has granted bail to three officials from the City of Tshwane who are accused of stealing a transformer valued at R7 million. Kleinbooy Mahlangu (45) from Soshanguve was granted bail of R35,000, while Thomas Baloi (41) from Pretoria North and Daniel Kubayi (50) from Hammanskraal were each granted bail of R30,000. All three are facing a charge of theft of essential infrastructure, relating to a transformer stolen from the Claudius Substation in Laudium.
In court, the State did not oppose their release on bail. Prosecutor Grace Komane submitted an affidavit from Investigating Officer Sergeant Thabo Lukhele, stating that the accused had cooperated with the police, are permanently employed by the City of Tshwane, and therefore they do not pose as a flight risk. The affidavit also noted that the investigation is nearly complete, with most witness statements already collected.
The case was postponed to 11 July 2025 for the Schedule 6 opposed bail application of a fourth accused, Katlego Molepo (32), who is facing the same charge. Molepo, alleged to be the buyer of the stolen transformer, handed himself over to the Atteridgeville Police Station on 06 July 2025.
