Corruption trial against former Eskom executives set down for 2026

JOHANNESBURG - South Africans will have to wait for over a year to hear how former Eskom executives were at the helm of a fraud, corruption and money laundering scheme involving the Kusile Power Station.  

The trial involving United Kingdom (UK)-based entrepreneur Michael Lomas, former senior manager for group capital Frans Hlakudi, and former executive Abram Mashego has been set down for July 2026.  

On Monday, 77-year-old Lomas was granted R2 million bail.  

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The Kusile Power Station has been a cash cow for the corrupt, with six employees implicated in the purchase of a R19,000 pump for over R850,000 just last week.  

The investigation into the dodgy awarding of contracts involving senior officials and Lomas was started in 2018.  

But seven years later, the Johannesburg High Court has heard that the trial can only begin in 2025 due to the availability of all lawyers involved.  

“We have no control over the court roll. We are ready to proceed with trial but unfortunately, we don’t determine the State’s circumstances,” said the Investigating Directorate (ID)’s Henry Mamothame.  

Meanwhile, all the accused are out on bail.