A former Eskom employee and four other people, along with three companies, have been convicted in a multi-million-rand fraud and money laundering case in Mpumalanga.
The convictions were handed down at the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Tuesday, following an investigation by the Hawks’ Secunda Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit, working with the Priority Crime Management Centre, Priority Crime Specialised Investigation and the National Prosecuting Authority.
The investigation found that between October 2016 and May 2019, former Eskom buyer Nozipho Ntuli, 39, abused her position by allegedly awarding tenders to companies linked to people close to her.
The companies identified in the investigation were Phoenix Motion Enterprise, Hustle Hard Development and Itireleng Masheleng.
Phoenix Motion Enterprise was headed by Edward George Sekatane, 46, who was in a relationship with Ntuli. Evidence before the court showed that Sekatane continued operating the company while he was in prison.
The investigation also uncovered links between Sekatane and the other companies. Thulani Harries Mahlalela, 43, was a director of Hustle Hard Development, while Alfred Lebogang Sekatane, 62, was identified as Edward Sekatane’s uncle.
According to the Hawks, Phoenix Motion Enterprise received R5.38 million from Eskom, while Hustle Hard Development benefited by R2.23 million and Itireleng Masheleng received R913,712.
The alleged fraudulent transactions resulted in a total loss of R8.53 million to Eskom.
Ntuli was convicted of fraud, while Edward Sekatane, Mahlalela, Alfred Sekatane and the three companies were convicted of money laundering-related offences under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.
The case has been postponed to 19 October 2026 for sentencing. The Asset Forfeiture Unit will also seek a restraint order as part of efforts to recover the proceeds of the alleged crimes.
Hawks Mpumalanga provincial head Major General Nico Gerber welcomed the convictions, saying the outcome demonstrated the unit’s commitment to tackling complex commercial crimes.
“Public institutions must be protected from corruption, fraud and organised criminal activities that undermine service delivery and public confidence,” Gerber said.
The Hawks said it would continue working with the NPA and other law enforcement agencies to identify, restrain and ultimately forfeit proceeds of crime where appropriate.
The investigation remains ongoing.
