The trial against former Eskom senior executive France Hlakudi commenced on Wednesday at the Pretoria Regional Court where he is facing tax fraud charges amounting to at least R30 million.
Investigating Directorate Against Corruption spokesperson, Henry Mamothame said the charges relate to his personal tax affairs and that of his companies, Hlakudi Translation and Interpretation cc, Coxinel Chicken (Pty) Ltd, and Bon Services Telcom cc.
Mamothame said the monies were received between 2015 and 2018.
"The charges detail how several contractors or subcontractors to Eskom paid over money to Hlakudi’s companies. At the time these transactions were made, he was senior manager until his resignation on November 13, 2017," said Mamothame.
Hlakudi is expected back in court on January 21, 2025, to continue with his trial.
In another separate matter, Hlakudi is also one of four accused in the Eskom Kusile R745 million case of fraud, corruption, money laundering, offering illegal gratifications, and receiving unauthorised gratifications.
Abram Masango, an Eskom group executive for the group capital division; Hlakudi; businessman Maphoko Kgomoeswana; and Tubular Construction CEO Antonio Trindade are accused of perpetrating these crimes between 2014 and 2017.
In addition, Masango and Hlakudi are further accused of obtaining R30 million in improper gratuity from the contractors, Trindade and Lomas.
Moreover, Kgomoeswana and his company, Babinatlou Business Services cc, are accused of facilitating the bribes on behalf of the Eskom Kusile contractors to the state-owned power generations’ senior bosses.
Their trial is being heard in the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg.
sinenhlanhla.masilela@iol.co.za
IOL News
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