Eskom Manager, Companies Arrested for Fraud and Theft

An Eskom manager, her company, and two other suspects were arrested on
Wednesday in Mpumalanga for allegedly defrauding the power utility of over R1 million.
The manager, Nontuthubo Surprise Mahweliri (44), her company NKG Trading
Investment, along with funding company director Mokgawa Recca Sewla (39) and his
firm Dithari Funding face charges of fraud, theft and money laundering.

The Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit in Middelburg made the
arrests following an investigation initiated last August by the Special Investigating Unit.
It’s alleged that Mahweliri misrepresented to Eskom that she was not conducting
business with the entity while being a shareholder in NKG Trading and Dithari Funding.
Both companies were found to be doing business with Eskom based on submitted
declarations and tender documents.

This undisclosed conflict of interest allowed the accused to perpetrate fraud causing
over R1 million in direct losses to Eskom according to the Hawks. After obtaining
witness statements and finalizing their investigation, the Hawks team presented the
case to prosecutors who saw enough evidence to issue arrest warrants.

The four accused appeared in the Hendrina Magistrate Court on Wednesday and were
granted R50,000 bail each. The National Prosecuting Authority postponed the matter to
February 19th at the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crime Court. The arrests
demonstrate authorities taking action against corruption at Eskom through detailed
investigations uncovering fraud and theft against the critical state entity.