The five people accused of fraud and money laundering at Eskom, amounting to just below R14.7m, appeared in the Hendrina Magistrate’s Court earlier today.

Portuguese national Maria Cantelo (53) was arrested and added as accused number five by the Middelburg-based Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation’s (Hawks) Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit.

According to the Hawks, the accused allegedly facilitated a tender process on behalf of Angel Frost Investment PTY LTD and benefited from the proceeds of the crime between March and April 2013.

Cantelo joins the other four accused, that include Thandeka Innocentia Nkosi (42) who was working for Eskom as a senior buyer, as well as accused number three Godfrey Jason Jones (46) who was the signatory to Angel Frost Investment PTY LTD business account held at Standard Bank.

Accused number four Rabela Sarah Jones (71) was the sole director of Angel Frost Investment PTY LTD.

Accused number five is Angel Frost Investment PTY LTD who was released on R100 000 bail. Another acussed – apparently an older lady – was released on R30 000 bail by the Hendrina Specialised Commercial Crime Court.

During the investigating probe it was discovered that during March to April 2013, Nkosi, who was employed by Eskom at Arnot Power Station, allegedly colluded with a sole director of Angel Frost Investment.

The accused acting in consent, allegedly defrauded Eskom of R14 736 882.