Mother and son, Rabela Sara Jones(71) and Godfrey Jason Jones (46) appeared before the Hendrina Magistrate Court alongside Thandeka Innocentia Nkosi (42), former employee of Eskom who was arrested on 15 March 2023 and remanded in custody for over R14.7 Million Eskom fraud. Their appearance followed after they were arrested by the Hawks Middelburg based Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team together with Eskom Forensic Investigators on the same day, facing charges of theft, fraud and money laundering.
It is alleged that Eskom advertised a tender for the supply and delivery Bowl pumps at Arnot power station during 2015. Engel Frost Investment was appointed or awarded the tender while assisted by Eskom employee Thandeka Innocentia Nkosi. The company submitted documents which were fraudulent. Furthermore, Nkosi mislead the financial section of Eskom that the committee approved an upfront payment of R14million to Engel Frost Investment while in truth it was a misrepresentation.
Eskom paid R14million to the company but they did not deliver the pumps instead they disappeared. An intensive investigation was conducted by Eskom Forensic Investigators concerning money which was stolen from Eskom. After they uncovered the fraud, a case was opened and referred to the Middelburg based Hawks Serious Commercial Crime Investigation for further exploration.
During their probe, it was discovered that during March to April 2013, Nkosi who was employed by Eskom at Arnot Power Station as a Senior Buyer, allegedly colluded with his accomplices, a director of Angel Frost Investment (PTY) LTD Rabela Sara Jones (71) and her two sons, Godfrey Jason Jones (46) and the other one who is on the run. The accused acting in concert, defrauded Eskom amount of R14 736 882.00. It is further alleged that the two sons were appointed as signatories in the company.
The three appeared in Hendrina Magistrate Court on Wednesday,22 March 23. Thandeka Innocentia Nkosi and Godfrey Jason Jones (46) were granted R100.000.00 bail each while Rabela Sara Jones(71) was granted R30.000.00 with the reasons that she is old and chronic. Their case was postponed to 5 May 2023 for tracing of the fourth accused who failed to appear in court despite being informed. Warrant of arrest was issued against him. Investigation continues.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks Major General Nico Gerber commended the substantial investigation carried out by the team which led the court to give the accused such huge amount for bail. He further said that ” as the Hawks we shall carry out our mandate and we shall investigate crimes and arrest perpetrator’s without fear, favor and prejudice”.