By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The North Gauteng High Court in Pretoria has granted a preservation order freezing a slew of properties and vehicles bought from the proceeds of a corrupt tender at Eskom’s problematic Kusile power station.
The High Court in Pretoria granted the order on Thursday, which allows the Special Investigation Unit (SIU), and the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA’s) Asset Forfeiture Unit to preserve two portions of a farm being used as a lodge – namely the Casambo Exclusive Guest Lodge; a commercial property in Mbombela; a house in an estate; a Lotus Europa sports car; two VW Polo Vivos; a Subaru Impreza; a Toyota Hilux; a golf cart; and a quad bike..
The NPA’s Lumka Mahanjana says the order authorises the AFU and SIU permission to preserve two portions of a farm that is used as a lodge, a commercial property in Mbombela, a house in an estate, five cars, a golf cart, and a quad bike.
“Former Eskom employee, Duduzile Babalwa Moyo received payments or benefits of more than R24,5 million, which were paid from Tamukelo Business Enterprise for the transportation of raw and potable water from Kendal Power Station to Kusile Power Station.”
She says the next step will be to apply for a forfeiture order.
“Once a forfeiture order is granted, the properties will be sold at a public auction and the proceeds returned to Eskom. Investigations are still ongoing. Casambo Property Development have listed the commercial property for sale at a reduced price of R3 000 000. This court action put a stop to the sale. Tamukelo is currently going through a deregistration process, and this does not shield the company and its directors from accountability.”
In February, the SIU’s Special Tribunal dismissed, with costs, Moyo’s application to have a different preservation order lifted.