By Staff Reporter
QWAQWA – A 26-year old plant manager at the Bloemhoedskraal Solar Plant in Virginia has been arrested on corruption charges following a Hawks undercover operation.
The Hawks’ Serious Corruption Investigation unit in Welkom pounced on the suspect on Monday, 2 February 2026, after receiving information that he had been extorting a subcontractor for monthly cash payments of R10 000.
The payments allegedly ran over four months, with threats to remove the contractor’s machinery if demands were not met, amounting to about R50 000.
Further investigations revealed additional alleged victims and that the suspect had recently purchased a second-hand vehicle for R130 000 in cash.
An undercover operation authorised by the Director of Public Prosecutions in terms of Section 252A of the Criminal Procedure Act led to the arrest. Police seized two Samsung cellphones and R10 000 in cash.
The suspect is expected to appear in the Virginia Magistrate’s Court on 4 February 2026.
