MPUMALANGA – The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks, in Mpumalanga welcomes the conviction of a former Eskom employee and five individuals, together with three companies, following a multi-million-rand investigation involving fraud and money laundering.
The accused appeared before the Middelburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court (SCCC) on Tuesday, 18 August 2026, where judgment was delivered in a case investigated by the Hawks’ Secunda Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCI) in collaboration with the Priority Crime Management Centre (PCMC), Priority Crime Specialised Investigation (PCSI) and the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA).
The investigation revealed that, between October 2016 and May 2019, Nozipho Ntuli (39), a former Eskom buyer, allegedly abused her position by fraudulently awarding tenders to companies linked to people close to her.
Evidence presented before court established that Phoenix Motion Enterprise, Hustle Hard Development and Itireleng Masheleng allegedly benefited fraudulently from Eskom contracts.
Phoenix Motion Enterprise was directed by Edward George Sekatane (46), who was in a relationship with Ntuli. Evidence further indicated that Sekatane continued running the company while he was incarcerated.
The investigation also established links between the other companies and Sekatane. Thulani Harries Mahlalela (43) was a director of Hustle Hard Development, while Alfred Lebogang Sekatane (62) was identified as Edward Sekatane’s uncle.
The companies allegedly benefited from Eskom as follows:
- Phoenix Motion Enterprise: R5,380,646.00
- Hustle Hard Development: R2,231,380.00
- Itireleng Masheleng: R913,712.00
The total financial loss suffered by Eskom as a result of the fraudulent transactions amounted to R8,525,738.00.
The court found Nozipho Ntuli guilty of fraud. Edward George Sekatane, Thulani Harries Mahlalela, Alfred Lebogang Sekatane and their companies; Phoenix Motion Enterprise, Hustle Hard Development, and Itireleng Masheleng were found guilty of offences in terms of the Prevention of Organised Crime Act (POCA) relating to money laundering.
The court postponed the matter to 19 October 2026 for sentencing and for the Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) to pursue an application for a restraint order.
The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, welcomed the convictions and commended the investigation team for pursuing the matter to its conclusion.
“This conviction demonstrates the Hawks’ commitment to investigating complex commercial crimes and holding individuals accountable when they abuse positions of trust for personal gain. Public institutions must be protected from corruption, fraud and organised criminal activities that undermine service delivery and public confidence,” said General Gerber.
The Hawks will continue working closely with the NPA and other law-enforcement stakeholders to ensure that proceeds of crime are identified, restrained and ultimately forfeited where appropriate.
The investigation continues to demonstrate that there are no shortcuts when it comes to accountability, and those who unlawfully benefit from public resources will be pursued.