Former Eskom employee Cinderella Thabisile Muropane was sentenced to an effective 10 years’ direct imprisonment on October 20 for her role in diverting approximately R1.8m.

The sentence was handed down in the Nelspruit Regional Court following an investigation by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit in Middelburg, according to Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi.

Hawks trace fraudulent payments

The investigation uncovered a scheme involving fraudulent invoices and payments made to a service provider that the power utility was no longer using.

The case dates back to 2013, when Muropane was employed by Eskom at its Nelspruit offices.

The investigation revealed that Mandla Lines CC, owned by David Mthetwa, had been contracted by Eskom on a live-work basis from April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013. However, the company’s last legitimate work order was issued on May 2, 2012.

Thereafter, the work was carried out by a different contractor, which was duly paid by Eskom for the services rendered.

Despite this, fraudulent invoices were continually generated in the name of Mandla Lines CC from Eskom’s Nelspruit offices, resulting in payments being processed into the company’s bank account for work it had not performed, Nkosi said.

Court hands down 10-year sentence

Following the Hawks’ investigation, Muropane was convicted on multiple counts of fraud and sentenced as follows:

• Counts 1–16: 10 years
• Counts 17–55: 7 years
• Counts 56–94: 7 years

All the sentences will run concurrently, resulting in an effective sentence of 10 years’ direct imprisonment.