Staff Reporter |
A 55 year old Patric Patrese Jones, who was wanted by the Hawks and published in the media as wanted for fraud, theft, and money laundering was arrested in Western Cape on 07 September 2023 at his hiding place in Gordons Bay. It is alleged that in April 2013, Jones colluded with Thandeka Innocentia Nkosi (42), who was working for Eskom as a Senior Buyer.
Mpumalanga Hawks Spokesperson Dineo Sekgotodi said during the investigation, it was established that Maria Cantelo (53) a foreign national (Jones`s girlfriend) facilitated the tender processes on behalf of Angel Frost Investment PTY LTD and benefited from the proceeds of the crime. “She was arrested and added as accused number five by the Hawks Middelburg based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for Eskom R14.7 million theft, fraud and money laundering on Friday, 5 April 2023”.
Sekgotodi added that the accused was joined by four other accused, Thandeka Innocntia Nkosi (42) ,Godfrey Jason Jones(46) ,Rabela Sarah Jones (71) and Angel Frost Investment PTY LTD. The accused were arrested and released on R100 000.00 bail each, excluding Rabela Sarah Jones, who was released on R30 000.00 bail due to her health conditions by the Hendrina Specialized Commercial Crimes Court.
Jones appeared in transit in (Western Cape), Strand Magistrates’ Court on 08 September 2023. He was transferred to Mpumalanga where he appeared at Hendrina Magistrates’ Court on Monday, 11 September 2023. He was remanded in custody and the case was postponed to Wednesday, 13 September 2023 and he was joined with his co-accused and made a formal bail application. He was remanded in custody to 18 September 2023 for bail judgement.
The accused appeared in court on 18 September 2023 and the judgement was in favour of the state and he is remanded in custody until 4 December 2023.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks Major General Gerber applauded the Western Cape multi-disciplinary team for the breakthrough in arresting the fugitive who has been hiding for almost ten years
