Former Eskom Senior France Hlakduis Fraud Case Postponed

The case against former Eskom senior manager France Hlakudi has been postponed to January 2025 for further trial proceedings. Hlakudi appeared before the Pretoria Regional Court facing tax fraud charges amounting to approximately R30 million.

The charges stem from the period between 2015 and 2018, during which contractors and subcontractors working with Eskom allegedly made payments to Hlakudi's three companies.

In addition to the tax fraud charges, Hlakudi also faces corruption charges related to the R1.4 billion that was allocated for the upgrade of Eskom's Kusile Power Station in Mpumalanga. These corruption charges involve Hlakudi, along with 11 other individuals, and are linked to the period between 2014 and 2017.

The Investigating Directorate spokesperson, Henry Mamothame, confirmed that Hlakudi will return to court in January 2025 for the continuation of the trial. Furthermore, Hlakudi is scheduled to appear at the Johannesburg High Court on 3 December 2024 for his involvement in the corruption case concerning the Kusile Power Station project.