MPUMALANGA – In a significant development concerning corruption within Eskom, the Hawks’ Middelburg-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit has arrested Nontuthubo Surprise Mahweliri (44), a manager at Eskom’s Hendrina Power Station in Mpumalanga, and her alleged accomplice, Mokgawa Recca Sewla (39), on charges of fraud, theft, and money laundering.
According to Captain Dineo Sekgotodi, Mpumalanga Hawks spokesperson, Mahweliri and Sewla, along with Mahwerili’s company NKG Trading Investment and Sewla’s company Dithari Funding, were implicated in conducting business with Eskom, leading to a substantial loss exceeding R1 million.
Mahweliri denied doing business with Eskom, but the investigation, which was started in August 2022 in response to information received by the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), found that she was a shareholder in both NKG and Dithari. Documents submitted to the power utility, including declaration forms and tender documents, disclosed that these companies had transacted with Eskom.
As a result, Eskom suffered an actual loss amounting to R1,082,884.51. Subsequent to the investigation, warrants of arrest were issued against Mahweliri, Sewla, and their respective companies.
The accused appeared in the Hendrina Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, February 7, 2024, and were each granted bail of R50,000. The case has been postponed to Monday, February 19, 2024, at the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court for further proceedings.
This arrest adds to the list of individuals implicated in corruption scandals within Eskom. Previous cases include the arrest of Nozipho Ntuli, a senior buyer at Eskom’s coal-fired Duvha Power Station, and others on charges of fraud and corruption amounting to millions.
Ntuli and three co-accused were arrested in March 2023 in Witbank for their alleged involvement in fraudulent activities at the Duvha Power Station. Investigations revealed irregularities in contract awards, leading to a loss of approximately R4.9 million for Eskom.
Furthermore, Thandeka Innocentia Nkosi, a senior buyer at the Matla Power Station, along with others, faced charges of defrauding Eskom of R14.7 million. These arrests underscore the prevalence of corruption within the power utility and the challenges faced by law enforcement agencies in prosecuting such cases.
Despite efforts to combat corruption, concerns persist regarding the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA’s) ability to effectively prosecute complex financial crimes related to Eskom. One such case, the R2.2-billion Kusile State Capture corruption case, was recently struck off the roll due to unreasonable delays, highlighting the need for greater efficiency in addressing corruption within Eskom.
This arrest marks another step in the fight against corruption within Eskom, yet questions persist about the efficacy of prosecuting such cases.
