Two former Eskom executives appeared in the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on February 23 to face charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering and offering and receiving unauthorised gratification.
Their charges relate to R745-million Eskom Kusile corruption and fraud case.
Former Eskom group executive for the group capital division Abram Masango and former contracts manager France Hlakudi stand accused alongside businessman Maphoko Kgomoeswana and Tubular Construction CEO Antonio Trindade for the above offences reportedly committed between 2014 and 2017.
All four of the accused are out on bail.
Michael Lomas, the former board chairperson of Tubular Construction, is living in the United Kingdom. The NPA’s Investigating Directorate has formally requested that he be extradited to stand trial with the four other accused in South Africa.
Masango and Hlakudi are accused of receiving undue gratification valued at R30-m each from 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.
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.
The matter has been postponed to June 1 to allow for the exchange of additional documents requested by the defence.
Hlakudi and Kgomoeswana face additional charges related to tax evasion valued at R30-m and R5-m, respectively.
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