Published: May 18, 2026 7:00 am
Community Economic Development Fund (CEDF) is a mission-driven, nonprofit Connecticut economic development organization. It provides business loans in disadvantaged communities defined by the state, and in other Connecticut municipalities it lends to business borrowers with household incomes below the state median.
Part of CEDF’s mission is to educate small business owners with free or low-cost training seminars. The next free webinar is planned for Thursday, June 25, 1-2 pm, “Keep Your Business Safe from Fraud.”
Fraud prevention is not about fear, complex technology, or assuming “it will not happen to me.” For small businesses operating in fast-moving, real-world environments, protecting a business is something far more practical — and far more essential.
A strong approach to fraud awareness is built intentionally, rooted in education, vigilance,…
THE TUTUKA POWER STATION PROCUREMENT FRAUD (ESKOM)
Date: August 29, 2025 Perpetrator: Jessie Phindile Kubheka (Supplier Director)
Case Description: As part of the ongoing “cleaning up” of Eskom, Jessie Phindile Kubheka was sentenced to 12 years (with 5 years suspended) for defrauding the Tutuka Power Station. The case involved a sophisticated procurement syndicate that exploited Eskom’s emergency repair protocols. Kubheka’s company was contracted to deliver three high-specification containers for the power station. Only one container was ever delivered, and even that single unit failed to meet the required safety and technical specifications.
Despite the lack of delivery, Kubheka issued grossly inflated invoices, defrauding the utility of approximately R2.6 million. The Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court ordered Kubheka to repay the full amount. This case is significant because it marks a shift in Eskom’s strategy toward “naming and shaming” suppliers and pursuing full asset recovery. It serves as a stark warning to contractors that the 2026 climate of “Zero Tolerance” for state-owned enterprise (SOE) fraud is backed by active judicial enforcement.
Link to Original: Eskom Official – Tutuka Fraud Sentencing