Eskom was hit by a trio in a R1 million valve theft scam. Image: Twitter/@Eskom
Eskom was hit by a trio in a R1 million valve theft scam
Three individuals from Dibuseng Business faced fraud and theft charges in the Middelburg court related to Eskom.
Eskom was hit by a trio in a R1 million valve theft scam. Image: Twitter/@Eskom
In a significant development on Wednesday, 6 December 2023, three individuals, associated with Dibuseng Business Enterprise, found themselves in the Middelburg Regional Court, facing charges of fraud and theft against Eskom.
The accused, identified as Mtau Dony Mmathinyane (31), the sole director, and Maphoto Manape Sylvane Mokgadi (55), were apprehended by the Hawks Middelburg Serious Commercial Crime Investigation on the same day.
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Where do the charges stem from?
The charges stem from a purported collaboration among the accused to defraud Eskom. The alleged scheme unfolded in 2017 when Arnot Power Station issued an order to DLC 56 project for valves, which were duly purchased and delivered.
Subsequently, in 2020, another valve order from Arnot Power Station revealed irregularities as Tutuka Power Station raised concerns about incorrect valves delivered by Dibuseng Business Enterprise.
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Upon inspection, it was discovered that the delivered valves matched those stolen from Arnot Power Station in 2020. Forensic investigators unveiled a sophisticated deception where Dibuseng Business Enterprise falsified documents, changing supplier names to conceal the illicit origin of the valves.
How much did Eskom loose?
Eskom suffered an actual loss of R 1 039 116.85 as they unwittingly purchased the same valves twice.
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“On the basis that Eskom purchased the same valves twice, it had an actual loss of R 1 039 116.85,” read the statement.
The accused appeared in court, with Mtau Dony Mmathinyane granted R 20 000 bail and Maphoto Manape Sylvane Mokgadi granted R 10 000 bail.
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Both are required to report to their nearest police station every second Sunday of the month. The case has been postponed to 20 February 2024 for a preliminary hearing at the Specialised Commercial Crimes Court.
