The Johannesburg High Court has granted Eskom fugitive Michael Harry Lomas R2 million bail under strict conditions. Lomas and 11 other accused are facing 65 counts of corruption relating to the R1.4 billion meant for constructing Eskom's Kusile power station in Mpumalanga.

TO STAY AT FRAIL CARE 

Lomas returned to South Africa last September 2024 after his extradition, and he has been in police custody ever since. Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC) spokesperson Henry Mamothame said that as part of Lomas's bail conditions, he is required to surrender his United Kingdom passport and South African identity document to the investigating officer. "The court ordered that he be barred from applying for travel documents and reside at a care home where he will be provided with the necessary assistance," said Mamothame. He said the investigating officer will be provided with the details of the home where Lomas will be staying during his bail. Lomas should not leave the Gauteng jurisdiction without informing the investigating officer. "We note and respect the judgment, with stringent conditions attached to it. Our focus will now be on the trial ahead, set to commence on 20 July 2026," said Mamothane.

NO LONGER SUICIDAL

The IDAC, an anti-corruption unit of the NPA, opposed Lomas's bail application, stating that he is a flight and suicide risk. "This is based on the reports by two psychiatrists sourced by him in the United Kingdom during his extradition hearing, wherein they declared him to be a suicide risk, "said the NPA. But Judge Rean Strydom ruled against this and said that Lomas was no longer suicidal or a flight risk. "I approached the matter from the perspective that freedom is a precious right protected by the constitution of this country," Judge Strydom ruled.