TWO ADDITIONAL ACCUSED ARRESTED AND RELEASED ON BAIL FOR OVER R14.7 MILLION ESKOM FRAUD AND MONEY LAUNDERING.
MPUMALANGA – Mother and son, Rabela Sara Jones(71) and Godfrey Jason Jones (46) appeared before the Hendrina Magistrate Court alongside Thandeka Innocentia Nkosi (42), a former employee of Eskom who was arrested on Wednesday, 15 March 2023 and remanded in custody Eskom fraud. Their appearance followed after they were arrested by the Hawks’ Middelburg-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team together with Eskom Forensic Investigators on the same day, facing charges of Theft, Fraud and Money Laundering.
It is alleged that Eskom advertised a tender for the supply and delivery of pumps at Arnot power station in 2015. Engel Frost Investment was appointed or awarded the tender while assisted by Eskom employee Thandeka Innocentia Nkosi. The company submitted documents which were fraudulent. Furthermore, Nkosi mislead the financial section of Eskom to approve an upfront payment of R14 million to Engel Frost Investment, while in true fact it was false.
Eskom paid R14 million rand to the company but it did not deliver the pumps instead they disappeared. An intensive investigation was conducted by Eskom Forensic Investigators concerning money which was stolen. After they uncovered the shenanigans, the fraud a case was opened and referred to the Middelburg-based Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for further exploration.
Also read: Eskom fraud accused to appear in court today
During their probe, it was discovered that from March to April 2013, Nkosi who was employed by Eskom at Arnot Power station as a Senior Buyer allegedly colluded with her accomplices, a director of Angel Frost Investment (PTY) LTD Rabela Sara Jones (71) and her two sons, Godfrey Jason Jones (46) and another one who is on the run. The accused acting in concert defrauded Eskom amount of R14 736 882.00. It is further alleged that the two sons were appointed as signatories in the company.
The three appeared in Hendrina Magistrate Court on Wednesday, 22 March 2023. Thandeka Innocentia Nkosi and Godfrey Jason Jones (46) were granted R100 000.00 bail each while Rabela Sara Jones(71) was granted R30 000.00 with the reasons that she is old and chronic. Their case was postponed to 5 May 2023 for tracing of the fourth accused who failed to appear in court despite being informed. A warrant of arrest was issued against him. Investigation continues.
Police urge anyone with any information on Crime to call the Crime Stop number at 08600 10111. Alternatively, members of the public can send information via MYSAPSAPP. All received information will be treated as confidential and callers may opt to remain anonymous.
