Michael Lomas Arrested in UK for Role in R745m Eskom Corruption Case
- One of the executives involved in the Eskom Kusile power station corruption case, Micheal Lomas, has been arrested in the UK
- The former director of Tubular Construction was later released on R1.7 million bail by UK authorities
- Lomas is one of several other businessmen who have been implicated in the Kusile power station money looting scandal
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South African businessman Micheal Lomas was recently arrested by UK authorities following a request by the National Prosecuting Authority Investigating Directorate to have him expedited from the country after he refused to co-operate with local law enforcement and fled for London.
Lomas is one of several businessmen who have been accused of defrauding Eskom out of nearly R800m by manipulating contracts to build two air-cooled condenser units at Kusile power station.
Source: Getty Images
In a statement released by NPA ID spokesperson, Sindiswe Seboka, it was revealed that Lomas was arrested on 15 April this year and subsequently appeared in the Westminister Magistrates Court where he was granted bail for R1.7m.
Seboka also said in the statement that Lomas's arrest means that his extradition process has begun in the UK.
The Citizen reports that Lomas is expected to appear in court on the 1 June in Plam Ridge Magistrates Court when the case against him and other businessmen accused of fraud, corruption, and money laundering in connection with Eskom Kusile power station.
Meanwhile, News24 reported that Hermione Cronje of the NPA said that their main focus at this point is to deal with the corruption that has plagued both Eskom and Transnet over the last few years.
Briefly News previously reported that former Eskom bosses Abram Masango and France Hlakudi are in deep trouble, facing charges of fraud, corruption and money laundering. Briefly.co.za reported that R745 million worth of questionable deals had been struck under their watch, with the pair receiving massive R30 million kickbacks for their efforts.
Hawks spokesperson Hangwani Mulaudzi revealed that one suspect is still at large, with the National Prosecuting Authority currently moving to fast-track the extradition process.
Mulaudzi says the investigative unit is convinced they had all their ducks in a row before carrying out the arrests. But the investigation into corruption at the power utility continues and Mulaudzi wouldn't give further comment on the pending arrests:
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Source: Briefly News
