The Middelburg Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation Unit has arrested two women on charges of fraud, theft and money laundering.

Nontuthubo Surprise Mahweliri (44), a manager at Eskom’s Hendrina Power Station, and her alleged accomplice, Mokgawa Recca Sewla (39), were arrested on February 7.

According to Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, the Mpumalanga Hawks’ spokesperson, Mahweliri and Sewla were charged alongside Mahweliri’s company, NKG Trading Investment, and Dithari Funding, of which Sewla is a director.

Sekgotodi says Mahweliri denied that she was doing business with Eskom.

“During an investigation, it was revealed that she was a shareholder of NKG and Dithari. Both companies were conducting business with Eskom, and this was discovered on the declaration forms and tender documents submitted by NKG and Dithari Funding to Eskom,” says Sekgotodi.

As a result, Eskom suffered a loss of R1 082 884.

The case was referred to the Hawks for further investigation and the team linked the accused after witness statements had been obtained.

“The investigation was finalised and the case was presented to the prosecutor for decision. After the public prosecutor analysed the case docket and saw there was a prima facie case against the accused, he issued a warrant of arrest against them.”

The suspects appeared in the Hendrina Magistrate’s Court on February 7 and were granted R50 000 bail each.

The case was postponed to February 19, when the accused will appear in the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court.