A Portuguese woman was granted bail of R100,000 relating to R14.7 million theft and tender fraud at Eskom.
MPUMALANGA – A Portuguese national, Maria Cantelo, 53, appeared in the Hendrina Commercial Crime Court in connection with R14.7 million fraud and theft at Eskom.
According to a Hawks statement, Cantelo was released on bail of R100,000 and ordered to hand over her passport. She cannot leave the jurisdiction of Mpumalanga without informing the investigating officer.
She was further warned that she would remain in custody until the bail amount was fully paid.
This brings the total to five, the number of suspects arrested following an intensive investigation conducted by Eskom forensic investigators, who later reported the matter to the Hawks for further investigation on March 22, 2023.
It is alleged that between March and April 2013, the five accused facilitated tender processes without following proper procurement processes and benefited from the proceeds of crime, the Hawks said.
The statement further said that the accused, Thandeka Innocentia Nkosi, 42, Godfrey Jason Jones, 46, and Rabela Sarah Jones, 71, were arrested and released on bail of R100,000 each, excluding Jones, who was released on bail of R30 000 due to her health condition.
The case was postponed to June 5, 2023, for further investigation and the tracing of another suspect who is on the run, and for whom a warrant of arrest was issued.
