The deaths of two senior Centlec officials, Mbuiselo Sarel May and Okert “Ockie” Faber, have fueled suspicions of a deadly pattern within the Mangaung power utility. Picture: Supplied

Two more senior officials dead, fuelling suspicions of a deadly pattern within the troubled Mangaung power utility

By: Abigail Visagie

Centlec rocked by fresh tragedy as two senior officials die, fueling fears of a rising death toll at the Mangaung power utility. The back-to-back deaths have sent shockwaves through Mangaung, with insiders describing a cli mate of fear and uncertainty at the embattled power distributor, already under scrutiny for financial mismanagement and governance failures. It is alleged that Centlec’s health and safety manager, Mbuiselo Sarel May (51) from Grassland in Bloemspruit, was brutally gunned down in his car on Sunday. Police confirmed that a manhunt has been launched for three suspects linked to the gruesome killing. According to spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Thabo Covane, the trio fled on foot towards George Lubbe Street after the attack. One suspect was dressed in black with a balaclava, another in a grey or white jacket, and the third in a brown jacket. “Witnesses reported that the deceased was shot around 04:00 while seated in a white Toyota Vitz. He was in the company of three men when the gunfire erupted. On arrival, officers found the victim slumped behind the steering wheel with gunshot wounds to the back of his head. He was rushed to the hospital, where he was declared dead,” Covane said. May’s murder follows the sudden death of his colleague, Okert (Ockie) Faber, a SCADA specialist in Network Optimization, who collapsed and died of a heart attack at his home last Thursday. Their deaths are the latest tragedies in what many describe as Centlec’s dark and unsettling death trail following the former Centlec CEO, Andries Mgoqi, who was also shot and left dying in cold right in front of his business premises, Kofifi tavern in Bergman Square, last year. May was allegedly involved in a court case settled in May 2022, in which the defendants were held li able for R34,245.53, an amount Centlec claimed for tampering with an electricity meter box at a leased property. The dispute dates back to May 2014, when Centlec Sources allege that Mgoqi signed off on a deal with Vodacom after his contract had already expired, a move reportedly not sanctioned by then-board chair person Kenosi Moroka. The execution styles of both killings have fuelled speculation that a sinister web of death is being spun around Centlec’s high-ranking officials. Two suspects, Nkwebe Seatile and Tlotlisang Monyane, were arrested in connection with Mgo qi’s murder in February 2024, while a third suspect – a 41-year-old Lesotho national – was arrested two months ago. Seatile and Monyane are expected to stand trial in the Bloemfontein High Court in January 2026, while extradition proceedings for the Lesotho national are still underway. Contacted for comment on May’s killing, Centlec spokesperson Tseliso Leba declined to be drawn into the matter, citing sub judice. alleged that a meter box had been tampered with, potentially enabling illegal connections, and subsequently disconnected the defendant’s electricity. May, who had been employed by the utility for over 14 years in various roles, presented evidence show ing that Centlec had quoted the plaintiff approximately R34,000 for installing three-phase power at the rented property—a sum that was never paid. According to the court record, a random inspection by Centlec in 2014 revealed an illegal three-phase connection, prompting the utility to remove the meter box and cut the electricity. May testified that he could not confirm who tampered with the meter box, but suggested that the tenant stood to benefit. He also could not explain why Centlec had re moved the meter box again in 2016, noting it might have been another instance of illegal connection. This testimony ultimately concluded the case in fa vour of Centlec. The murder of Mgoqi previously made headlines amid rumours that he was entangled in a scandal that nearly cost the utility over R23 million. “Since this incident occurred outside Centlec, the utility will leave it in the capable hands of the SAPS. We will, however, visit the bereaved family to extend our deepest condolences,” said Leba.