THE NPA ASSET FORFEITURE UNIT GRANTED FREEZING ORDER ON CASH AND PROPERTIES RELATED TO A SYNDICATE THAT STOLE FROM ESKOM.
The Pretoria Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), was granted a freezing order by the Pretoria High Court on Thursday 02 November 2023. The restraint order is to freeze properties and cash worth R29 million belonging to a syndicate that stole from Eskom. Mothelli Ben Theletsane who has since passed on, was employed at Eskom on a contract basis and worked in a pre-paid environment, supporting Eskom’s pre-paid vending system. He operated as a supervisor in his role and therefore obtained intimate knowledge of the operations of machines and he also acquired technical expertise on the ins and outs of the Credit Dispensing Units (CDU). Moreover, during his employment he also acquired, unknowingly to Eskom a Master Vending Unit (MVU), that can generate limitless prepaid electricity vouchers and a few CDUs which he concealed after his exit from Eskom. After his passing in 2017, the business was taken over by his wife Thandi Roselinah Theletsane (50), and her three sons Papi Isaac Theletsane (31), Tebello Lucky Theletsane (24) and Sibusiso Alfred Migal (34)
However, in 2012, it was discovered that Theletsane was allegedly running a ghost vending operation whereby he illegally generated electricity vouchers to the value of over R36 million and sold them to the public for his benefit. The business became so lucrative that it was expanded throughout all the nine provinces. Through the syndicate, the Theletsane family and the company Mothelli Theletsane Holdings and Investment (PTY) Ltd, they managed to acquire 27 movable and 39 immovable properties worth over R23 million from the proceeds of crime.
The other 10 involved in the syndicate, Petrus Mohapi (43) Donald Rammusi (33), Victor Mdlalose (62) Joseph Mdlalose (38) Florence Mdlalose (28) Daniel Mapena Moleko (30) Xolani Dube (30), Lebohang Dennis Thabanyana (37), Raymond Balfour Mohapi (40) and Sebabatso Madibuseng Mbele (40), acquired 17 movable and 1 immovable property to the value of over R 1.5 million. The Theletsane family together with 10 other accused, were arrested on 14 July 2021 and appeared at Fochville Magistrates’ Court. During the last appearance on 31 October 2023, the matter was remanded to 15 November 2023 for one of the accused to apply for Legal Aid assistance.
This matter does not only highlight the effective cooperation and collaboration between various crime-fighting agencies within the NPA, as well as the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI) but shows determination and commitment by the NPA to ensure that money stolen from the state is returned.
Issued by:
Lumka Mahanjana:
NPA Regional Spokesperson
Gauteng Division: Pretoria
