An Eskom manager, a businesswoman and the two companies they were running, are facing charges of fraud, theft and money laundering after they allegedly conducted business with the power utility.
The manager, Nontuthubo Surprise Mahweliri, 44, and her accomplice Mokgawa Recca Sewla, 39, appeared briefly in the Hendrina Magistrate’s court on Wednesday. Their companies, NKG Trading Investment (PTY) LTD and Dithari Funding PTY, have also been charged as co-accused in the matter.
Hawks spokesperson in Mpumalanga, Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, said police had arrested the suspects after a Special Investigating Unit (SIU) probe found that Mahweliri, who works at Hendrina power station, had told Eskom that she was not doing any business with the power utility.
“It is alleged that, during August 2022, the Special Investigating Unit received information regarding the accused who was an Eskom employee, who misrepresented to Eskom that she was not conducting business with the entity,” Sekgotodi said.
“During the investigation, it was revealed that she was a shareholder at NKG and Dithari. Both companies were conducting business with Eskom. This was discovered on the declaration forms and tender documents submitted by NKG and Dithari Funding to Eskom. As a result, Eskom suffered an actual loss of R1 082 884.51.”
The matter was referred to the Hawks for further investigation.
“The team linked the accused with the crime after witness statements were obtained. Investigation was finalised and the case was presented to the prosecutor for decision,” said Sekgotodi.
The accused were granted R50 000 bail each and the case was postponed to 19 February to be heard at the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court.
