Accused number 1, Nontuthubo Surprise Mahweliri (44) ,(Eskom employee – Maintenance Manager), accused number 2, her company NKG TRADING INVESTMENT (PTY) LTD, Accused number 3, Mokgawa Recca Sewla (39), Director of Dithari funding and accused number 4 company called DITHARI FUNDING (PTY), were arrested by the Hawks Middelburg based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for fraud, theft and money laundering on Wednesday, 7 February 2024.
It is alleged that during August 2022 the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) received information regarding the accused who was an Eskom employee, who misrepresented to Eskom that she was not conducting business with the entity. During 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.
After the Public Prosecutor analysed the case docket and seeing that there is a prima facie case against the accused, he issued a warrant of arrest against the four accused.
Warrant of arrest was executed on Wednesday, 7 February 2024. Suspects appeared at the Hendrina Magistrate Court on the same day. The accused were granted R50 000 bail each and the case was postponed to 19 February 2024 at the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court.