The Special Investigating Unit has exposed an alleged R8 million bribery and corruption scheme by a now-suspended Eskom employee. Image:File: Timothy Bernard/ Independent Newspapers The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has exposed an alleged R8 million bribery and corruption scheme. According to the SIU, an Eskom employee and his family funnelled illicit kickbacks through a family-linked company to bankroll a luxury property in Bendor, Polokwane, and other personal perks.
In a statement, the SIU said it secured a preservation order from the Special Tribunal to freeze a luxury property in Bendor, Polokwane, and a motor vehicle. It added that an Eskom employee and his family apparently received around R8 million in payments from companies unlawfully favoured in a R54 million tender. The SIU said the scheme was orchestrated through a tight-knit web of family and friends.
Johannes Mfalapitsa, the “Employer’s Agent” and technical evaluator forEskom’s R54 million tenderfor High-Definition Surveying Services, allegedly had winning bidders make payments to his family directly and through an associated company. Mfalapitsa’s spouse, Ndiyafhi Denge, allegedly received over R2.2 million, while his brother, David Mfalapitsa, pocketed more than R228,000 from a director at one of the favoured companies. The network also apparently included Mpho Negondeni, whom Denge “raised as her own child,” and her company Tabogambambe (Pty) Ltd, which the SIU says served as a conduit for the illicit funds.
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“Over R3.6 million flowed from [Eskom] service providers to them, which was then used to pay for the construction of the Bendor property and to make payments to Denge,” the SIU said in a statement. The investigation also revealed a close connection between Mfalapitsa and Bulelani Lengoasa, director of Buzwe Geomatics Engineering Services (Pty) Ltd.
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