A safety risk manager at Eskom, the power utility company in South Africa, has been arrested on charges of fraud, corruption, and money laundering.
Thandi Ruth Magagula, 40, appeared before the Middelburg Regional Court and was released on R10,000 bail. The case has been postponed to March 26 and will be heard in the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
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According to Captain Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, the provincial spokesperson for the Hawks (the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation), Magagula was appointed by Eskom as a safety risk manager between April 2013 and July 2015.
During this time, she was also a director of Montoza Engineering and Project 9, which provided services to Eskom.
The matter was reported to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), who discovered that Magagula had failed to declare a conflict of interest to Eskom.
The SIU then referred the case to the Hawks for further investigation. It was found that Magagula had made misrepresentations on her declaration forms and tender documents, causing a loss of R58,888 to Eskom.
The Hawks, specifically the Middelburg-based serious commercial crime investigation unit, completed their investigation and referred the matter to the public prosecutor. A warrant of arrest was authorised and executed on February 9.
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Major General Nicholas Gerber, the provincial head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, commended his team for their work on the case. He emphasised that the Hawks will thoroughly investigate and arrest anyone who acts in a criminal manner, without fear or favour.
This arrest serves as a reminder that no one is above the law, and the authorities are committed to ensuring justice is served.
Last week, SurgeZirc SA reported that another Eskom manager, Nontuthubo Surprise Mahweliri, 44, and three alleged accomplices had appeared before the Hendrina Magistrate’s Court facing charges of fraud, theft and money laundering.
