Tebogo Msimanga |
Two former Eskom executives on Tuesday appeared briefly in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court on charges of fraud, corruption and receiving bribes in connection with Eskom Kusile R745m corruption and fraud case.
Erstwhile Eskom Group Executive for the Group Capital Division, Abram Masango, former contracts manager, France Hlakudi, businessman Maphoko Kgomoeswana, and Tubular Construction CEO Antonio Trindade are accused of committing these offences between 2014 and 2017.
Investigating Directorate spokesperson Sindisiwe Twala said they are all on bail of various amounts.
“Earlier the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crime Court postponed the matter to 01 June 2021 to allow the exchange of additional documents requested by the defence.
Michael Lomas, former board chairperson of Tubular Construction is currently living in the United Kingdom. The NPA’s Investigating Directorate (ID) has formally requested that he be extradited to stand trial with the four other accused in South Africa. “ added Twala.
She further said Masango and Hlakudi are accused of receiving bribes valued at R30 million each, from the contractors, Trindade and Lomas.
“Kgomoeswana and his company, Babinatlou Business Services CC, are accused of facilitating the bribes on behalf of the Eskom Kusile contractors to the state-owned power generations’ senior bosses.”
Twala added that the other companies implicated in the case are Hlakudi Translation and Interpretation, Bon Service Telekom, Tubular Construction Projects, Abeyla Trading, Cosira Tubular Joint Venture (Pty) LTD.
Hlakudi and Kgomoeswana face additional charges related to tax evasion valued at R30 million and R5 million respectively.
Hlakudi’s tax prosecution matter will proceed on 03 march 2021 and Kgoemoeswana’s case is scheduled for 25 February 2021.
