Mbombela (Nelspruit) – Former Eskom Safety Risk Manager Thandi Ruth Magagula has been arrested by the Hawks on suspicion of fraud.
The 40-year-old former Eskom senior staffer was arrested Friday by the Middelburg-based Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation unit.
Magagula faces multiple charges including fraud, corruption, and money laundering.
The accused was appointed by Eskom as a safety risk manager in April 2013, where she remained until July 2015.
During the same year, Magagula was allegedly also a Director of Montoza Engineering and Project 9, whereby the company was rendering services to Eskom.
The matter was reported to the Special Investigating Unit (SIU).
During the investigation, the SIU discovered that the accused failed to declare a conflict of interest with Eskom.
The matter was referred to the Hawks for further investigation.
The Hawks established that the accused allegedly misrepresented to Eskom on her declaration forms and tender documents.
Accusations are that she did not indicate that she was conducting business with Eskom.
Allegations are that her company was rendering service to Eskom, causing an actual loss of R58 888.76.
“The investigation was finalised and the matter was referred to the Public Prosecutor for decision,” said Hawks spokesperson in Mpumalanga Captain Dineo Sekgotodi.
“A warrant of arrest was authorised and executed on Friday, 9 February 2024.”
The accused appeared before the Middelburg Regional Court, where she was granted R10 000 bail.
The case was postponed to 26 March 2024 in the Specialized Commercial Crime Court in Middelburg.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks Major General Nicholas Jacobus Gerber commended his team for carrying out the mandate of the Directorate For Priority Crime Investigation.
Major General Gerber said the Hawks will ensure that no stone is left unturned during any investigation.
“We shall investigate and arrest anyone who acts in a criminal manner without fear and favour,” he said.
