The long list of the accused in Eskom's R745m Kusile power station fraud and corruption case include the following five key players.
Accused number 1
France Hlakudi, 49
A former Eskom senior manager for capital contracts within the power utility's group capital division. His job included establishing strategies in respect of the management of claims and variations among others. He was also responsible for risk identification in the management of contracts and stakeholder management. According to the indictment by the investigative directorate, Hlakudi led teams from Kusile in developing, assessing and motivating modifications of contracts to Eskom tender committees. He's accused of taking kickbacks and accepting a benefit from contractors awarded contracts at Kusile power station. He's also accused of fraud for "unlawfully, falsely and with the intent to defraud" Eskom for his role in the awarding of the contract.
Accused number 4
Antonio Jose da Costa Trindade, 66
Trindade was the director of Tubular Construction Projects (TCP) which was awarded a R745m contract at Kusile power station. He's among others accused of corruption for offering a benefit to former Eskom executives. He's also accused of fraud for his alleged role in the awarding of the contract to his company in 2015.
Accused number 9
Abram Masango, 52
Masango was Eskom's group executive in the group capital division and responsible for capital management and construction management at Eskom’s Build Projects including Kusile, Medupi, and Ingula power stations. His role included defining contracting strategies, supporting negotiations with contractors, advising on claims and dispute resolution processes, tools and systems to ensure site contract management. He's accused of corruption and fraud for allegedly receiving unauthorised gratification from contractors awarded a contract by Eskom. He's also accused of playing a role in the unlawful awarding of the contract to TCP.
Accused number 10
Maphoko Kgomoeswana, 47
Kgomoeswana is the sole member of Babinatlou Business Services which is accused of being used as a vehicle that facilitated the payment of kickbacks to Masango and Hlakudi by Tubular. According to the indictment Babinatlou's account which was controlled by Kgomoeswana was used as a vehicle and/or instrument to disguise the true nature of payments from Trindade and his companies TCP, Abeyla Trading, Tubular Technical Construction and Cosira Tubular Joint Venture for the benefit of Hlakudi and the former Eskom's executive's companies.
Accused number 12
Michael Lomas, 73
Lomas was Tubular Holdings' executive advisor between January 2008 and May 2014 according to the indictment. From June 2014 to April 2016, he served as a consultant to the company and its subsidiaries. He also performed the same role of executive advisor. From May 2016 to January 2018, he was employed by Tubular Holdings as chairman and performed the role of strategic executive. He's accused of his role in the awarding of the contract to TCP for allegedly abusing his position of authority, breaching of trust and violation of legal duty or set of rules, according to the indictment.
Other accused in the case are companies and their subsidiaries which also have links to the five individuals.
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