MIDDELBURG -The Hawks in Mpumalanga have welcomed the conviction of a former Eskom employee and three associates, along with three entities, in a complex fraud and money-laundering scheme in which Eskom was swindled out of about R8.5 million. The Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court convicted all accused on Tuesday, arising from the fraudulent awarding of tenders between October 2016 and May 2019.
The individuals are Nozipho Ntuli (39), who held the position of buyer within the procurement department at Eskom’s Duvha Power Station, Thulani Harries Mahlalela (43), Edward George Sekatane (46), and Alfred Lebogang Sekatane (62). The companies are Phoenix Motion Enterprise, Hustle Hard Development, and Itireleng Masheleng. The Sekatanes are linked to two companies, Phoenix Motion Enterprise and Itireleng Masheleng, while Mahlalela was director of Hustle Hard Development. The accused will know their fate during sentencing proceedings set for 19 October.
Lieutenant-Colonel Magonseni Nkosi, provincial spokesperson for the Hawks, said the outcome was based on compelling evidence following the Hawks’ Secunda Serious Commercial Crime Investigation-led probing. This was achieved through collaboration involving the Priority Crime Management Centre (PCMC), Priority Crime Specialised Investigation (PCSI) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) of South Africa.
Nkosi said probing uncovered strong ties among individuals, including a romantic affair between Ntuli and George Sekatane, who’s uncle is Lebogang Sekatane. “The court found Ntuli guilty of fraud. George Sekatane, Mahlalela, Lebogang Sekatane and their companies were found guilty of offences in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) relating to money laundering,” said Nkosi. He said the court found abused of privilege position.
“Ntuli abused her position to fraudulently award tenders to companies linked to people close to her. Evidence presented before court established that Phoenix Motion Enterprise, Hustle Hard Development and Itireleng Masheleng benefited fraudulently from Eskom contracts. Phoenix was directed by George Sekatane, who was in a relationship with Ntuli. Evidence further indicated that Sekatane continued running the company while he was incarcerated,” said Nkosi.
The companies benefited from Eskom as follows:
Phoenix Motion Enterprise: R5,380,646.00
Hustle Hard Development: R2,231,380.00
Itireleng Masheleng: R913,712.00
“The total financial loss suffered by Eskom as a result of the fraudulent transactions amounted to R8,525,738.00,” said Nkosi. He said that recovery measures were in place. “The court postponed the matter to 19 October for sentencing and for the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) to pursue an application for a restraint order,” said Nkosi.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major-General Nico Gerber, has welcomed the convictions and commended the investigation team for pursuing the matter to its conclusion.
