Hawks nab trio over municipal account manipulation
Three individuals have been taken into custody following a months-long investigation into the alleged tampering of municipal utility accounts in Johannesburg, which reportedly cost the city more than R220 000 in lost revenue.
Khulani Lloyd Mthombeni (32), Margaret Dorothy Amelia De Kock (56), and Bradley Mark Waksman (56) were apprehended on Monday, 28 November 2022, after the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation's Serious Corruption unit concluded a probe that had been underway since February 2022.
The investigation was triggered by an internal review conducted by the City of Johannesburg, which uncovered allegations that water and electricity accounts had been fraudulently altered by the accused.
"The Hawks investigation has revealed that through this scheme the pair deprived the COJ of over R220 000 in revenue which they pocketed over a period of time from August 2021."
According to investigators, the suspects allegedly manipulated municipal accounts to siphon funds from the metro over a period stretching back to August 2021. The illicit proceeds were reportedly pocketed by members of the group during this time.
Accused granted bail at Palm Ridge court
All three suspects made their first court appearance at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday, 29 November 2022, a day after their arrest. The court granted each of them bail set at R5 000.
The matter has been postponed to 16 February 2023, during which the contents of the investigating docket are expected to be disclosed to the defence. The case forms part of broader efforts by law enforcement authorities to clamp down on corruption within municipal structures in Gauteng.
Municipal fraud remains a persistent challenge for South African metros, with schemes targeting utility billing systems costing local governments millions in lost income annually. The City of Johannesburg has indicated its commitment to rooting out such criminal activity through cooperation with specialised law enforcement units.
Municipal fraud targeting utility billing systems directly undermines service delivery in a city where millions already face inconsistent access to water and electricity. When revenue is siphoned from metros like Johannesburg, it reduces the funds available for infrastructure maintenance and expansion, placing additional strain on residents and businesses. The arrests signal growing cooperation between municipalities and specialised law enforcement, though the relatively low bail amounts may raise questions about whether deterrence is sufficient to curb similar schemes across Gauteng.
