Eskom fraud worth R2.6 million – Businessman and entity sentenced

South African Police Service

Eskom fraud worth R2.6 million – Businessman and entity sentenced
Eskom fraud worth R2.6 million - Businessman and entity sentenced

Micheal Chimanzi (56) was found guilty and sentenced when he appeared in the Nelspruit Specialised Commercial Crime Court on Wednesday, 1 March 2023 for Fraud, Theft and Money Laundering.

The Court approved an application for separation of trial from his co-accused Nwabisa Ngxola and Cinderella Moropane, the former employees of Eskom who are out on bail.

This resulted to the finalisation of the case again Chimanzi who was in custody since his initial arrest in 2018.

It is alleged that in November 2013, Eskom employees Ngxola and Moropane colluded with Chimanzi, the sole Director of Chimanzi Investments and submitted fraudulent invoices to Eskom for services which were never rendered.

Fraudulent transactions were channeled to Chimanzi Investments business account, which prejudiced Eskom R2.6 million.

During the sentencing, the court took into consideration that Chimanzi already served four years imprisonment. Furthermore the accused showed remorse and pleaded guilty from the beginning without wasting state resources.

Chimanzi, together with his company, were sentenced to 8 years imprisonment wholly suspended for 5 years on condition that the he is not found guilty and convicted for similar offenses during the period of suspension.

The case against Ngxola and Moropane was postponed to 2 May 2023 for sentencing, and their bail was extended.

SAPS Newsroom

SOURCESouth African Police Service