City of Tshwane Officials Appear in Court for Theft of a Transformer Worth 7 Million

By Lumka Mahanjana
NPA Regional spokesperson

Three City of Tshwane officials Sphiwe Kleinbooy Mahlangu (45) from Soshanguve, Thomas Baloi (41) from Pretoria North and Daniel Kubayi (50) from Hammanskraal appeared at the Atteridgeville Magistrates’ Court today.

They are facing a charge of theft of essential infrastructure transformer worth 7 million.

It is alleged that on 07 November 2024, in the afternoon, Tshwane Metro Police Department (TMPD) and the police received a tip-off regarding a theft that was taking place at Claudius Substation in Laudium.

When they arrived at the scene they found cranes, trucks, and a City of Tshwane-marked truck at the substation.

When the police requested proof of work authorization and it could not be produced, eleven people were arrested on the scene and ten were later released from police custody.

Madimetja Jacob Malebane (38) a City of Tshwane official who was also arrested on the day appeared at the Atteridgeville Magistrates Court on 28 November 2024 and was released on bail.

During investigations by the police, it was found that Mahlangu, Baloi, and Kubayi left the scene before the police arrived.

Warrants of arrest were issued and the three accused were arrested at their workplaces on 01 July 2025.

The matter was postponed to 04 July 2025 for a schedule 5 bail application. The three are remanded in custody.