Four accused persons, Nozipho Ntuli (35), George Edward Sekatane (43), Alfred Lebohang Sekatane (60) and Thulani Harris Mkhabela (40) were arrested during a joint operation by the Secunda based Hawks’ Serious Corruption and Serious Commercial Crime Investigation teams. The accused were arrested on 31 March 2023 at Witbank on charges of fraud and corruption.
It is alleged that between 2016 and 2019, Nozipho Ntuli was employed at Duvha Power Station, a coal-fired power plant operated by Eskom and as a buyer, contracts were awarded without following prescribed supply chain management processes.
Further investigation revealed that the following companies, Phoenix and Itereleng Masheleng belonged to Ntuli’s boyfriend, George Sekatane and Hustle Hard, belonging to Thulani Harris Mkhabela were awarded the dubious contracts.
It is further alleged that when the contracts were awarded, George was in prison and Lebohang Sekatane was responsible for taking information and documents from Eskom to George in prison and vice versa.
The loss suffered by Eskom is estimated at R4 911 980-00.
The accused appeared before the Witbank Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 31 March 2023 and were released on bail. George Sekatane was granted R30 000 bail as he has other pending cases. The other three accused were each granted R10 000 bail.
The case was postponed to 5 July 2023 for further investigation.
The Provincial Head of Mpumalanga, Major General Gerber applauded the team for the arrest. “These arrests must send out a stern warning to would be fraudsters, Eskom looting will not be tolerated. All efforts will be directed at bringing perpetrators to book. The Hawks in Mpumalanga is committed to bringing stability to the industry,” said General Gerber.
