Police arrest alleged mastermind behind R9.9 million electricity syndicate

Author: iol.co.zaPublished on: September 6, 2026Country: South Africa

Crime & Law

Police arrest alleged mastermind behind R9.9 million electricity syndicate

An investigation into municipal fraud has uncovered a R9.9 million electricity reconnection syndicate in Emfuleni Municipality, Gauteng. Janitha van Reenen Coetzee, 25, was arrested on May 20 in a R424,000 fraud case and was rearrested on September 3 on new charges related to the syndicate. Investigators found WhatsApp conversations and bank transactions that led to Coetzee being identified as the alleged mastermind of the syndicate.

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