SIU welcomes ruling that former Eskom boss forfeit R11m to state

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has welcomed the Special Tribunal’s judgment declaring R11 million held in the bank account of Thephunokheja Projects (PTY) Ltd, a company linked to suspended Eskom senior manager, as forfeited to the State. 

The funds were deemed to be nothing but proceeds of unlawful activities by the Special Tribunal, SIU spokesperson, Kaizer Kganyago, said on Tuesday.

He said the SIU had approached the Special Tribunal for forfeiture of the funds after it had received allegations from a whistle-blower that Petrus Mazibuko, Senior Manager: Coal Operations at Eskom was receiving unauthorised gratification from two Eskom suppliers, Commodity Logistix Managers Africa and Thembathlo Pty Ltd, through a bank account held by Thephunokhetja Projects. 

“The SIU investigation revealed that the only source of income into the account is from the two Eskom suppliers.  Furthermore, the SIU investigation uncovered no evidence that could point to a proposition that Thephunokhetja Projects rendered services or was legally entitled to claim for goods or services rendered to either Commodity Logistix Managers Africa and Thembathlo Pty Ltd,” Kganyago said.

The Special Tribunal found in its ruling, handed down on Monday 4 October, that Petrus Mazibuko, and his brother Shadrak Mazibuko together with Thephunokheja Projects had contravened section 3 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 2004 by accepting gratification from Eskom suppliers for their benefit in order to influence unjust result. 

Petrus and Shadrack Mazibuko are the directors of Thephunokheja Projects.

The Special Tribunal also found that the conduct of Patrick Mazibuko was in contravention of section 17(1) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 2004, in that he, as a public official who acquired or holds a private interest in any contract, agreement or investment emanating from or connected with the public body. The parties were also ordered to pay costs of the hearing, including the costs of Senior Counsel. 

Fraud and corruption allegations may be reported via the following platforms: siu@whistleblowing.co.za / Hotline: 0800 037 774 

from The South African https://ift.tt/3uH1K5c