Mother and son Eskom fraud accused 71-year-old Rabela Sara Jones and 46-year-old Godfrey Jason Jones have appeared before the Hendrina Magistrate’s Court.
The mother and son pair appeared in court on Wednesday, (22 March 2023), alongside another accused, 42-year-old Thandeka Innocentia Nkosi, a former Eskom senior buyer at Arnot Power Station.
All the accused were arrested last week on Wednesday, (15 March 2023), by the Hawks’ Middelburg-based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team assisted by Eskom forensic Iinvestigators.
The arrested trio face charges of theft, fraud and money laundering involving R14,7 million.
Allegations are that Eskom advertised a tender for supply and delivery of pumps at Arnot power station during 2015.
Assisted by Eskom employee, Nkosi, Engel Frost Investment allegedly submitted fraudulent documents to secure the tender.
Nkosi allegedly misled Eskom’s finance department to approve an upfront payment of R14,7 million to Engel Frost Investment.
Although Eskom paid upfont, the company failed to deliver the pumps.
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Investigations revealed that between March and April 2013, Nkosi colluded with Rabela Sara Jones – a director of Angel Frost Investment (PTY) LTD and her two sons, Godfrey Jason Jones and another unnamed one who was said to be on the run.
The matter was postponed to 5 May 2023.
Nkosi and Godfrey Jason Jones were each granted bail of R100 000.
Rabela Sara Jones, who suffers from a chronic illness, was granted bail of R30 000.
Spokesperson for the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Captain Sekgotodi Dineo Lucy, said a warrant of arrest was issued for the fourth accused, after he failed to appear in court.