Fugitive in Eskom R1.4 billion corruption case back in SA to face the music

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The corruption case against Michael Harry Lomas was postponed to Friday, September 27 at the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court for formal bail application. 

The 77-year-old landed at the OR Tambo International Airport on Friday morning after being extradited from the United Kingdom where he was arrested by the authorities in April 15 and released on bail on May 20, 2021.

Upon his arrival in the country, he was whiskey away by law enforcement agencies for a brief appearance before the Kempton Park Magistrates’ Court. 

The arrests follow an intensive investigation by the Special Investigating Unit at Eskom, which uncovered evidence of criminal actions involving five accused individuals.

Lomas is facing 65 counts of corruption linked to the R1,4 billion that was meant for the upgrade of Eskom’s Kusile power station in Mpumalanga between 2014 and 2017.  

His co-accused are former Eskom group executive for group capital division, Abram Masango; former Eskom senior manager for group capital division, France Hlakudi; as well as Owner of Tubular Construction Project Antonio José Trindade; and owner of Babinatlou Business Services Hudson Kgomoeswana.

Henry Mamothame, NPA Investigative Directorate spokesperson, said the state’s application for his extradition was opposed, however in January 30, 2023 an extradition order was signed by the Minister of State Security in the UK. 

“Subsequently, he lodged an appeal against the extradition order, and he was unsuccessful. Furthermore, he launched four more appeals which were all dismissed.

“In an attempt to evade extradition to South Africa, he lodged an application with the European Court of Human Rights, and it was also unsuccessful.

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The SIU applauded the diligent work whose collaboration led to this critical milestone.

The Unit said it will continue to support the prosecutorial process and ensure that all individuals implicated in corruption

“This extradition is part of implementing the National Anti-Corruption Strategy, which sees law enforcement agencies coming together to eradicate corruption in South Africa and ensure the continued cleaning up of state-owned Entities like Eskom from corruption,” the statement read.