On Tuesday,the South African Police Service(SAPS) announced that arrested three employees of the City of Tshwane who are accused of stealing the transformer which cost close to R7 million. 

According to Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi,a thorough investigation by Gauteng Organised Crime Unit has led to the arrest of three employees from City of Tshwane Municipality.This arrest follows an ongoing investigation which started last year November,where 11 suspects were initially arrested for stealing a transformer at Laudium substation worth approximately R7 million.The 10 suspects who were sub-contractors were released after they could not be linked to the crime and one who is an employee of the municipality remained behind bars and has since made several court appearance and is currently remanded in custody until 08 August 2025.

Yesterday,Colonel Nevhuhulwi mentioned that the suspects were charged with theft of essential infrastructure and are expected to appear before Pretoria Magistrates' Court today,02 July 2025,and she confirmed that more arrests are expected as investigations continue.

She added that Tshwane District Commissioner,Major General Samuel Thine has commended the team for the ongoing efforts to deal with this crime. He further ensured the public that the police will continue working hard in dismantling the syndicates that target essential infrastructure and related crimes as this has a detrimental impact on the economy of the country.

In a separate case in Gauteng province, on Tuesday,the police arrested three suspects in possession of fake cash and printing machine at Lyttelton.

According to Colonel Dimakatso Nevhuhulwi,the undercover unit from Lyttelton police station was operating in a shopping centre when they noticed a suspicious looking man at the ATMs.He was searched and in his bag,the team discovered a large amount of fake money with blank papers in between.Upon further questioning,the man led the police to a house where more fake notes were discovered together with a machine used to print fake rand and dollar notes.Two men who were found in the house were also arrested.

She said all three suspects are expected to appear before court soon on a charge of possession of counterfeit money.