Former Eskom employee, four others convicted in R8.5m fraud and money laundering case

A former Eskom employee and four other individuals, along with three companies, have been convicted in a multi-million-rand fraud and money laundering case involving contracts worth more than R8.5 million.

The convictions were handed down at the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court in Gauteng on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, following an investigation by the Hawks’ Secunda Serious Commercial Crime Investigation, working with the Priority Crime Management Centre, Priority Crime Specialised Investigation and the National Prosecuting Authority.

According to the South African Police Service, the investigation found that Nozipho Ntuli, 39, a former Eskom buyer, abused her position between October 2016 and May 2019 by allegedly awarding tenders to companies linked to people close to her.

“Evidence presented before the court established that Phoenix Motion Enterprise, Hustle Hard Development and Itireleng Masheleng allegedly benefited fraudulently from Eskom contracts,” the police said.

Phoenix Motion Enterprise, which was directed by Edward George Sekatane, 46, allegedly received R5.38 million from Eskom. Sekatane was in a relationship with Ntuli and, according to the investigation, continued running the company while incarcerated.

Hustle Hard Development, directed by Thulani Harries Mahlalela, allegedly received R2.23 million, while Itireleng Masheleng benefited by R913,712.

The total financial loss to Eskom was calculated at R8,525,738.

The investigation also established links between the companies and Sekatane. Alfred Lebogang Sekatane, 62, was identified as Edward Sekatane’s uncle.

The court found Ntuli guilty of fraud, while Edward Sekatane, Mahlalela, Alfred Sekatane and the three companies were convicted of money laundering offences under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act.

Restraint order

The Hawks in Mpumalanga welcomed the convictions.

Provincial Head of the Hawks, Major General Nico Gerber, “welcomed the convictions and commended the investigation team for pursuing the matter to its conclusion,” according to the police statement.

The case has been postponed to 19 October 2026 for sentencing.

The Asset Forfeiture Unit will also pursue an application for a restraint order against assets linked to the case.

The convictions follow a lengthy investigation into the alleged abuse of Eskom procurement processes and the movement of proceeds derived from the transactions.