By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
A former Eskom employee stationed at the Tutuka power station was arrested on Wednesday for fraud and corruption resulting in a loss of almost R1 million.
Zandile Rosemary Ngcobo, who was employed as a Procurement Officer, appeared before the Standerton Magistrate Court on the same day and was granted bail of R5 000.
The accused allegedly colluded with two Eskom employees and a supplier in purchasing a shipping container at an inflated price of R939,550. The container was delivered on site, however, it did not meet the specifications and was only valued at R20,000.
As a result, Eskom suffered a loss of R919,550.
Ngcobo appeared again alongside co-accused Jessie Phindile Kubeka, who is a shareholder of an Eskom supplier company called Mnandi (Pty) Ltd, Eskom employees Sarah Nomsa Sibiya, Senior Technician Operating, and Bhekizizwe Solomon Twala, Senior Store Person, who are all facing the same charges at Middleburg Commercial Crime Court on 11 May 2023.
They will appear again in the Middleburg Commercial Court on 8 June 2023.
“Eskom will continue to provide the required support to the South African Police Service (SAPS) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to ensure that the suspects are successfully prosecuted and that a stiff sanction is meted out as a favourable outcome that will serve to deter other would-be offenders,” the group said.
“These arrests continue to demonstrate Eskom’s pursuit to ensure that perpetrators face the full might of the law and zero tolerance towards crime.”
The arrest follows a string of successful operations where Eskom workers, contractors and suppliers have been nailed for defrauding the power utility.
In April, three Eskom workers were arrested for being involved in the theft of coal. Other workers were arrested in relation to diesel theft, sabotage and other organised crime at the utility.