Sifiso Jacob Masina (42) former Kriel Power Station finance manager was found guilty and sentenced by the Kriel Regional Court on Tuesday, 25 April 2023 for fraud and theft. The sentence followed a lengthy investigation carried forward by the Hawks Nelspruit based Serious Commercial Crime investigation.
During May 2011 to February 2012, the suspect who was a finance manager at Eskom Kriel Power made payments to the two companies; Mandlenkosi logistics and Lusthala Supply and Transport without rendering any service to Eskom.
The companies, Mandlenkosi logistics which during investigation, it was discovered that it belonged to Masina and Lusthala Supply and Transport belonged to the Masina’s mother.
Both companies received payments from Eskom without rendering any services.
The payments were facilitated by the Masina who was in charge of Kriel Power Station Finance during the above mentioned period. Due to the conduct of the accused, Eskom suffered an actual loss of R513 830-00
Masina was convicted and sentenced to 8 years imprisonment wholly suspended for 5 years on condition that accused is not convicted of fraud and theft during the period of suspension.
Accused was declared unfit to possess a firearm in terms of section 103 Act 60 of 2000 and he was further ordered to pay back the amount of R513 830-00 to Eskom.
The case was referred to the following specialised units for finance and assets investigation Priority Crime Specialised Investigation (PCSI), South African Revenue Services (SARS), Financial Intelligence Centre (FIC) and South African Banking Risk Information Centre (SABRIC).
