Mother and son, Rabela Sara Jones(71) and Godfrey Jason Jones (46) appeared before the Hendrina Magistrate Court alongside with Thandeka Innocentia Nkosi (42), a former employee of Eskom. The three were arrested last Wednesday  by the Hawks' Middelburg based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team together with Eskom Forensic, for allegedly defrauding the power utility of R14,7million in 2015.

CHARGES

The three are facing  charges of theft, fraud and money laundering.Two of the accused were granted bail of R100 000 and the other R30 000. It is alleged that Eskom advertised a tender for supply and delivery of pumps at Arnot Power Station during 2015. Engel Frost Investment was appointed  and awarded the tender while assisted by Eskom employee Thandeka Innocentia Nkosi. The company is alleged to have submitted documents which were fraudulent.  Furthermore, Nkosi mislead the financial section of Eskom to approve an upfront payment of R14 million to Engel Frost Investment.

FAILING TO DELIVER

Eskom paid R14 million to the company but it did not deliver the pumps instead they disappeared. An intensive investigation was conducted by Eskom Forensic Investigators concerning money which was stolen. After they uncovered what transpired , a fraud case was opened and referred to the Middelburg based Hawks Serious Commercial Crime for further  investigations. The Hawks' Captain  Lucy Sekgotodi said, "During investigations it was discovered that from March to April 2013, Nkosi who was employed by Eskom at Arnot Power station as a Senior Buyer allegedly plotted with his accomplices, a director of Angel Frost Investment (PTY) LTD Rabela Sara Jones (71)  and her two sons, Godfrey Jason Jones (46) and  another one who is on the run.  The accused, defrauded Eskom amount of R14 736 882.00. It is further alleged that the two sons were appointed as signatories in the company, "she said.

MISSING IN ACTION

Nkosi and Godfrey Jones were granted R100.000.00 bail each while Rabela Jones(71) was granted R30.000.00 with the reasons that she is old and on chronic. Their case was postponed to 5 May to allow time to trace the fourth accused, who failed to appear in court despite being informed. A warrant of arrest was issued against him. The investigation continues.