Eskom senior technician Nkhetheni Percy Ramaru (51) was arrested by the Hawks Middelburg-based Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation yesterday, for fraud, corruption and money laundering.

According to Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, in August 2022, the accused allegedly misrepresented to Eskom that he was not conducting business with the entity.

The matter was reported to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).

“During the investigation, the SIU discovered that the accused failed to declare a conflict of interest to Eskom. Investigations revealed that he is a shareholder at a company called MXO Logistics cc. The company was conducting business with Eskom.

“This was discovered on the declaration forms and tender documents submitted by MXO Logistics cc to Eskom. As a result, Eskom suffered a loss of R14 940,” says Sekgotodi.

The matter was referred to the Hawks for further investigation.

A warrant of arrest was authorised and executed yesterday, after which the accused appeared in court. He was released on R10 000 bail.

The case was remanded to next week Monday, when he will appear in the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.