A former Eskom buyer and three associates have been convicted in a multimillion-rand fraud and money laundering case stemming from eMalahleni.

The Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court delivered judgment on Tuesday, August 18, against Nozipho Ntuli (39), Edward George Sekatane (46), Thulani Harries Mahlalela (43), and Alfred Lebogang Sekatane (62), together with their companies.

The four were arrested in 2023 in eMalahleni during a joint operation by the Secunda-based Hawks Serious Corruption and Serious Commercial Crime Investigation teams.

According to the spokesperson for the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, the investigation revealed that between October 2016 and May 2019, Ntuli abused her position at Eskom by fraudulently awarding tenders to companies linked to her associates.

Fraudulent tenders net millions

Nkosi confirmed that one of the companies, owned by Edward Sekatane, who was reportedly in a relationship with Ntuli, benefited the most, receiving contracts worth R5.38m, while the second one secured R2.23m and the last one gained R913 712. The total financial loss to Eskom amounted to R8 525 738.

Evidence presented in court showed Ntuli’s relationship with Edward Sekatane played a role in the fraudulent awarding of contracts. Edward Sekatane continued running the company even while incarcerated. The second company was linked to Mahlalela, while the third one was connected to Alfred Sekatane, Edward’s uncle.

The court found Ntuli guilty of fraud, while Edward Sekatane, Mahlalela, Alfred Sekatane, and their companies were convicted of money laundering under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
Asset Forfeiture Unit pursues restraint order

The matter has been postponed to October 19 for sentencing, with the Asset Forfeiture Unit expected to pursue a restraining order against the accused.

“This conviction demonstrates the Hawks’ commitment to investigating complex commercial crimes and holding individuals accountable when they abuse positions of trust for personal gain. Public institutions must be protected from corruption, fraud and organised criminal activities that undermine service delivery and public confidence,” Nkosi said.

The provincial head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, also commended the investigation team for pursuing the matter to its conclusion.

“Public institutions must be safeguarded against corruption and fraud. This case shows that those who unlawfully benefit from public resources will be pursued and held accountable,” Gerber said.

Witbank News attempted to contact Eskom national spokesperson Daphne Mokwena for comment on the matter, but was unsuccessful by the time of publication.

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