Hawks restrain R7.7m in properties and cars linked to Eskom fraud
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South Africa's Hawks have obtained a court order restraining four properties and eight movable assets valued at R7.746 million that are linked to an Eskom fraud and money-laundering case.
South Africa's Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, the Hawks, has restrained four immovable properties and eight movable assets, including several motor vehicles, as authorities move to preserve assets potentially linked to an Eskom fraud case.
The order, issued on September 30, 2026, follows the convictions of former Eskom buyer Nozipho Ntuli, 39, and Edward George Sekatane, 46, Thulani Harries Mahlalela, 43, and Alfred Lebogang Sekatane, 62, along with three companies implicated in the case.
On August 18, 2026, the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court convicted Ntuli of fraud, while the other accused and their companies were convicted of money-laundering offences under the Prevention of Organised Crime Act. The Hawks established that between October 2016 and May 2019 Ntuli abused her position as an Eskom buyer by awarding contracts worth R8.53 million to companies linked to people with whom she had personal relationships, without properly addressing potential conflicts of interest.
The restrained properties, four in Emalahleni and Middelburg, are collectively valued at approximately R6.82 million, including a property in Aerorand, Middelburg, valued at R5.25 million. The movable assets include a Mercedes-Benz E63 AMG, a Toyota Fortuner, a Hyundai i20, a Mazda Drifter and a Citroen C3.
Mpumalanga Hawks provincial head Major General Nico Gerber said the outcome demonstrated the importance of pursuing assets potentially linked to criminal activity in addition to securing convictions. “The outcome sends a clear message that investigations into alleged corruption and fraud do not end with identifying wrongdoing,” he said.
The restraint order is intended to prevent the disposal or dissipation of the assets while further legal proceedings are pursued. Any eventual forfeiture remains subject to the applicable legal process and a court determination.