Latest news with #Molepo
The Citizen
16-07-2025
- The Citizen
Alleged buyer of stolen transformer denied bail, case postponed
A case involving four suspects accused of stealing a transformer from Laudium valued at R7-million, has been postponed to August 5. This after the fourth suspect, Katlego Molepo (32), from Middelburg appeared in the Atteridgeville Magistrates' Court for his bail application on July 11. Molepo is alleged to be the buyer of the transformer stolen from the Claudius Substation in Laudium. National Prosecuting Authority spokesperson, Lumka Mahanjana, said, 'The matter was postponed to August 5, 2025, for a regional court transfer.' 'The court ruled that it would not be in the interest of justice to grant Molepo bail,' she said, adding that his co-accused, three city officials, were granted bail. Molepo had handed himself over to police at the Atteridgeville Police Station on July 6. 'The city officials, Kleinbooy Mahlangu (45) from Soshanguve, Thomas Baloi (41) from Pretoria North, and Daniel Kubayi (50) from Hammanskraal were granted bail [on July 8],' said Mahanjana. The three were arrested on July 1 after a nearly year-long thorough investigation into the transformer theft. 'The four accused are facing charges related to the theft of essential infrastructure,' she said. She said SAPS and TMPD allegedly responded to a tip-off about a theft in progress at the Claudius Substation on November 7, 2024. 'Upon arrival, they found cranes, trucks, and a City of Tshwane-branded vehicle on site. As no proof of work authorisation could be provided, 11 people were arrested at the scene.' Mahanjana said 10 individuals were later released from custody. 'Another City of Tshwane official, Madimetja Jacob Malebane (38), who was also arrested at the scene, appeared in court on 28 November 2024 and was released on bail,' she said. She said during the police investigation, it was discovered that Mahlangu, Baloi, and Kubayi had fled the scene before law enforcement arrived. 'Warrants of arrest were issued, and the three were arrested at their respective workplaces,' she said. Mahanjana added that during his bail application, Molepo, through his legal representative, argued that the State had a weak case against him. 'He further claimed he should be released because he is a father of four, has a wife to support, and suffers from a chronic illness,' she said. She said, however, Prosecutor Grace Komane opposed the application. She said Komane cited the seriousness of the offence and Molepo's previous conviction for defrauding the Unemployment Insurance Fund. 'That conviction resulted in a sentence of five years' direct imprisonment or a fine of R40 000,' she said. Komane added that Molepo allegedly committed the current offence just ten months after that conviction, showing that he could commit more crimes. Mahanjana also said the magistrate agreed with the State, adding, 'The accused is facing a serious charge. His medical condition can be managed while in custody.' She said Molepo failed to provide evidence that his children would suffer undue hardship if he were not granted bail. 'There are no substantial or compelling circumstances warranting his release,' she said. WATCH PREVIOUS VIDEO OF THE SYNDICATES BEING NABBED: Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Eyewitness News
11-07-2025
- Eyewitness News
R7 million transformer theft 5th suspect remains in custody as co-accused gets bail
JOHANNESBURG - One of the men accused of stealing a R7 million transformer at the Laudium sub-station north of Pretoria has been denied bail by the Atteridgeville Magistrates Court. Katlego Molepo appeared before the court on Friday and will be back behind bars this evening after his bail bid failed as a result of an undisclosed previous conviction. Molepo is the only one who was denied bail out of five accused suspects in the matter. The transformer was stolen last November, causing a strain on the electricity supply in the area. Three of the suspects, who are municipal workers, were granted bail last week they also appeared in court today for Katlego Molepo's bail outcome. Last week, Siphiwe Mahlangu received R35,000 bail while Thomas Baloyi and Daniel Kubayi got R30,000 bail each. The state did not oppose their bail applications, stating they were all first-time offenders. Molepo was, however, not so lucky owing to a previous conviction. He will remain behind bars at the Kgosi Mampuru prison until his next court appearance, while his other co-accused will return on 5th August.
The Citizen
09-07-2025
- The Citizen
Fourth suspect in R7m transformer theft awaits bail hearing, case postponed
The case of the three Tshwane officials accused in the brazen theft of a transformer worth R7-million has been postponed to July 11. This comes after a fourth accused, Katlego Molepo (32), handed himself over to the Atteridgeville police station on July 6, according to the NPA. National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) spokesperson Lumka Mahanjana said the case was postponed for Molepo's bail hearing, which the state opposes. 'The case was postponed to July 11 for the Schedule 6 opposed bail application of the fourth accused,' she said. She said Molepo is the alleged buyer of the transformer and would be facing the same charge as the three officials accused of stealing a transformer valued at R7-million. 'All three are facing a charge of theft of essential infrastructure, relating to a transformer stolen from the Claudius Substation in Laudium.' Mahanjana said on July 8, the Atteridgeville Magistrate's Court granted the three Tshwane officials bail. '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.' The three were arrested on July 1 after the Gauteng Organised Crime unit conducted almost a year-long thorough investigation of the theft of the transformer. She said the TMPD and SAPS allegedly responded to a tip-off about a theft in progress at the Claudius Substation on November 7, 2024. 'Upon arrival, they found cranes, trucks, and a City of Tshwane-branded vehicle on-site. When no proof of work authorisation could be provided, 11 people were arrested,' she said. Mahanjana said 10 individuals were later released from custody. She said during investigations, it was found that Mahlangu, Baloi, and Kubayi had fled the scene before police arrived. 'Warrants of arrest were issued, and the three were arrested at their respective workplaces,' she said. Mahanjana added that 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 co-operated with the police, is permanently employed by the City of Tshwane, and therefore they do not pose a flight risk,' she said. She said the affidavit also noted that the investigation is nearly complete, with most witness statements already collected. LISTEN: Do you have more information about the story? Please send us an email to [email protected] or phone us on 083 625 4114. For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord's websites: Rekord East For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram or TikTok. At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
IOL News
02-07-2025
- Business
- IOL News
Bakeries flourish in correctional centres, saving millions for the government
The Department of Correctional Services bakery at Standerton Correctional Centre. Image: Department of Correctional Services Bakeries are proving to be a success story in eleven of the Department of Correctional Services' (DCS) centres in the country, saving the government millions each year. The DCS also announced that a bakery for Durban was commissioned on June 23 this year, for test baking purposes, adding to the 11 other bakeries that DCS has nationally, which are managed by correctional officials. The Portfolio Committee on Correctional Services on Tuesday received an update from the DCS on the establishment of bakeries in correctional centres, including the cost breakdown on bread supply by external suppliers versus internal supply. The DCS stated that the construction of bakeries and the refurbishment of kitchens support self-sufficiency and sustainability. The DCS also believes that bakeries provide work opportunities to offenders, lead to offender skills development, and cost savings to the DCS. Chief Deputy Commissioner (CDC) Anna Molepo stated that each inmate must be provided with an adequate diet to promote good health, as prescribed in the regulations. She said the first departmental bakery was opened in 1992, at Kgoši Mampuru II. Since then, additional bakeries were established across six regions with the Standerton and Pietermaritzburg bakeries opened during the 2024 and 2025 financial year. Some of the bakeries that are in the planning and consultation phases, and the estimated target date of completion: Nigel (30 August 2026) Krugersdorp (30 March 2027) Helder Stroom (1 December 2026) Brandvlei (15 October 2026) Groenpunt (30 August 2026) Upington (15 September 2026) Overberg (15 September 2026) Baviaanspoort (1 December 2025) The average cost of the bread from departmental bakeries was R8,74. Molepo said that offender gratuity ranges between R2 and R9 per day. Molepo said cost savings in the 2025 and 2026 (April and May) financial year totalled R13 million while in the 2024 and 2025 financial year, the DCS estimated a R27 million saving after deducting the cost of producing its own bread with the average cost of bread purchased from external suppliers. Molepo said the bakeries do not come without challenges to the DCS. These include inadequate funding for capital construction of new bakeries and baking equipment. There are also challenges of insufficient funds for maintenance and repair of bakery structure and baking equipment, as well as for training and development along with the late delivery of ingredients. Correctional Services Petrus Groenewald said following complaints about the procurement processes referring to the bread tender, he held meetings with National Commissioner Makgothi Thobakgale and officials.
TimesLIVE
01-07-2025
- Business
- TimesLIVE
Prison inmates bake bread to cut food costs
Prison bakeries in South Africa are helping the correctional services department (DCS) cut costs, promote self-sufficiency and sustainability and help inmates gain practical experience while they receive a daily gratuity ranging from R2 to R9. According to chief deputy commissioner Anna Molepo, the DCS operates 11 bakeries around the country, with another in Durban having begun test baking on June 23. The expansion supports the Correctional Services Act, which requires the department to be as self-sufficient as possible and run according to business principles. The department's bakeries are a practical way to reduce dependence on external suppliers and ensure each inmate receives an adequate diet. Molepo said eight new bakery sites have been identified. The department's figures show bread baked in-house cost an average of R8.74 per loaf for April and May in the 2025/2026 financial year, compared with an average external purchase price of R22.92. This price difference has led to significant savings, 'even though some bread still needs to be purchased externally due to breakdowns in bakeries, late delivery of ingredients, renovation and repairs to bakery infrastructure'.
