Cape Town — Former Eskom contractor, Michael Lomas, was successfully extradited to South Africa after he was implicated in an alleged corruption matter at Kusile power station.
Lomas was wheelchair-bound as he arrived at OR Tambo under heavy guard by police officers from the UK on Friday morning. He was set to be taken to Kempton Park police station, where he will be handed over to the Hawks, TimesLIVE reported.
Lomas’ extradition to South Africa comes after the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) Investigative Directorate linked Lomas to a fraud and corruption case where Eskom paid R745 million to Tubular Construction Projects, which exposed the state to R1.4 billion per the escalation of the contract.
[BREAKING] Fugitive Michael Lomas arrives in SA after being extradited from the UK to face R1.5 billion graft charges.
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The former Tubular Holdings executive adviser was arrested in 2021 and granted bail of £100,000 (R2.3m) and submitted an additional surety of £250,000 (about R5.8m).
Lomas has been indicted with former Eskom executives Abram Masango and Frans Hlakudi as well as businessman Maphoko Kgomoeswana and CEO of Tubular Construction Antonio Trindade.
Masango and Hlakudi are accused of receiving undue gratification of R30m each from the contractors, Trindade and Lomas.
Kgomoeswana and his company, Babinatlou Business Services CC, are accused of facilitating the alleged bribes on behalf of the Eskom Kusile contractors to the state-owned power utility’s senior bosses.
According to News24, National police spokesperson, Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, said part of Lomas’ conditions was that a medical doctor must be part of the team to ensure Lomas’ medical wellbeing.
“The suspect is not in good health. SAPS Interpol SA requested the Department of Defence to avail a doctor and it was arranged,” Mathe said.
Michael Lomas, a fugitive wanted for alleged fraud and corruption at Eskom, has been extradited to South Africa. He landed at OR Tambo International Airport and is now being escorted to the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court to face charges. Newzroom Afrika’s @Vee_Makhoali speaks to… pic.twitter.com/isWwpZtag8
— Newzroom Afrika (@Newzroom405) September 20, 2024
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Compiled by Matthew Petersen
