A luxury home in Bendor, Limpopo, and a vehicle have been frozen by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) after investigators uncovered an alleged R8m corruption scheme involving an Eskom employee and his family.

Polokwane Review reports that a preservation order, granted by Special Tribunal Judge Margaret Victor, prevents the sale or transfer of the property and the vehicle, while the SIU continues its investigation into suspected large-scale tender fraud.

According to the SIU, Eskom employee Johannes Seroke Mfalapitsa, who worked as a surveyor and project manager, allegedly used his position to benefit companies bidding for a R54m High-Definition Surveying Services contract.

In return, the SIU says those companies channelled about R8m to Mfalapitsa, his spouse Ndiyafhi Denge, his brother and people close to the family.

The investigation was authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa under several proclamations dating back to 2018.

Family and friends allegedly used as channels

According to the SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago, findings show that the bribery network involved several close associates, including a woman described as being ‘raised as a child’ by Mfalapitsa’s spouse.

Her company, Tabogambambe (Pty) Ltd, allegedly received more than R3.6m from contractors who won the Eskom tender.

“These funds were then allegedly used to build and upgrade a luxury property in Bendor, including a swimming pool and high-end finishings,” he said.

Evidence also links the money to payments made directly by contractor Bulelani Lengoasa, director of Buzwe Geomatics Engineering Services, one of the winning bidders.

Conflicts of interest and undeclared payments

The SIU says Mfalapitsa violated Eskom’s conflict-of-interest policies by occupying several powerful roles in the same tender: Drafting the scope of work, evaluating bids, and later managing the awarded contract.

“Despite his spouse receiving money from one of the bidders, NTG Solutions CC, he allegedly failed to declare this conflict for eight consecutive years. Mfalapitsa has since been suspended, and we have recommended disciplinary action,” Kganyago said.

How the money allegedly flowed

The SIU traced how Eskom paid over R29m to three service providers, namely Buzwe, NTG Solutions and Litha Langa Consulting.

These companies then paid round-figure amounts, often without VAT, to Mfalapitsa’s network.

Buzwe, which received 25% of the tender value, allegedly paid more than R7m to people linked to the scheme.

What has been frozen

The preservation order covers a R3.9m Bendor home, believed to have been partly constructed using unlawfully gained funds and a Nissan NP200 bakkie, allegedly bought using proceeds from the scheme.

“The order is temporary but ensures these assets cannot be sold or hidden before the SIU begins formal civil proceedings to recover funds and set aside the tender,” Kganyago added.

He said the SIU will now pursue legal action to overturn the tender and recover losses suffered by Eskom.

“Any evidence showing criminal conduct will be handed to the NPA.”

For now, the Bendor property and vehicle remain frozen while the investigation continues.

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