Suspended sentence for businessman who defrauded Eskom of R2.6-million
Nelspruit commercial crimes court sentences Michael Chimanzi to eight years’ imprisonment, which is wholly suspended for five years
04 March 2023 - 12:21
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Electricity pylons are shown near Grootvlei power station in Mpumalanga. File photo: ALAISTER RUSSELL
A businessman walked away with a suspended sentence after defrauding Eskom of more than R2.6-million.
The Nelspruit commercial crimes court sentenced Michael Chimanzi, 57, to eight years’ imprisonment, which was wholly suspended for five years.
According to NPA spokesperson in Mpumalanga Monicca Nyuswa, Chimanzi was charged along with his two co-accused, Nwabisa Ngxola and Cinderella Moropane, both of whom were employed by Eskom as finance clerks.
But defence counsel for Ngxola and Moropane applied for a separation of trials, which the court granted.
The three were convicted of fraud, theft, and money laundering. Ngxola and Moropane will be sentenced on May 2.
“The trio acted in common purpose and submitted fraudulent invoices to Eskom. Ngxola’s password and username were used to capture certain payments to Mandla Lines CC, which is a legitimate company registered in the name of Chimanzi.
Michael Chimanzi walked away with a suspended sentence after defrauding Eskom of more than R2.6-million. File photo. MPUMALANGA HAWKS
“They shared the proceeds among themselves and the accused were arrested after the police received a tip-off,” Nyuswa said.
According to Nyswa, the deputy director of public prosecutions, Adv Billy Moalusi, led evidence by several witnesses which proved the invoices were fraudulent.
“The supervisor of two Eskom officials testified about the extent of the damage caused to the business. Their evidence was supported by the owner of Mandla Lines who confirmed that they colluded and provided false invoices to Eskom.”
Magistrate Sheila Msibi said theft affects the economy.
In handing down sentence, she said she took into consideration the personal circumstances of Chimanzi, the seriousness of the offence he was convicted of and the interest of justice.
She also took into consideration the fact that Chimanzi had already spent four years in prison awaiting trial.
She sentenced him to eight years’ imprisonment suspended for five years on condition he is not convicted of money laundering or a related offence.
The director of public prosecutions in Mpumalanga, Nkebe Kanyane, said fraud is “a pandemic that engulfs our economy and is perpetrated by well-sophisticated people and should be stopped in its tracks”.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Suspended sentence for businessman who defrauded Eskom of R2.6-million
Nelspruit commercial crimes court sentences Michael Chimanzi to eight years’ imprisonment, which is wholly suspended for five years
A businessman walked away with a suspended sentence after defrauding Eskom of more than R2.6-million.
The Nelspruit commercial crimes court sentenced Michael Chimanzi, 57, to eight years’ imprisonment, which was wholly suspended for five years.
According to NPA spokesperson in Mpumalanga Monicca Nyuswa, Chimanzi was charged along with his two co-accused, Nwabisa Ngxola and Cinderella Moropane, both of whom were employed by Eskom as finance clerks.
But defence counsel for Ngxola and Moropane applied for a separation of trials, which the court granted.
The three were convicted of fraud, theft, and money laundering. Ngxola and Moropane will be sentenced on May 2.
“The trio acted in common purpose and submitted fraudulent invoices to Eskom. Ngxola’s password and username were used to capture certain payments to Mandla Lines CC, which is a legitimate company registered in the name of Chimanzi.
“They shared the proceeds among themselves and the accused were arrested after the police received a tip-off,” Nyuswa said.
According to Nyswa, the deputy director of public prosecutions, Adv Billy Moalusi, led evidence by several witnesses which proved the invoices were fraudulent.
“The supervisor of two Eskom officials testified about the extent of the damage caused to the business. Their evidence was supported by the owner of Mandla Lines who confirmed that they colluded and provided false invoices to Eskom.”
Magistrate Sheila Msibi said theft affects the economy.
In handing down sentence, she said she took into consideration the personal circumstances of Chimanzi, the seriousness of the offence he was convicted of and the interest of justice.
She also took into consideration the fact that Chimanzi had already spent four years in prison awaiting trial.
She sentenced him to eight years’ imprisonment suspended for five years on condition he is not convicted of money laundering or a related offence.
The director of public prosecutions in Mpumalanga, Nkebe Kanyane, said fraud is “a pandemic that engulfs our economy and is perpetrated by well-sophisticated people and should be stopped in its tracks”.
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