2 Billion Eskom fraud: Koko + co-accused back in court in September

Former acting Eskom CEO and power utility executive, Matshela Koko, his wife Mosima and daughters Koketso Aren and Thato Choma, appeared in the regional court alongside co-accused, former Salga bigwig Thabo Mokwena, Kusile project manager Frans Sithole, businessman Watson Seswai and local attorney Chris Coetzee.

The accused all face charges of corruption, fraud and money laundering, relating to an Eskom contract awarded to Swiss-based Engineering company Asia Brown Boveri (ABB).

The proceeds from the fraud is estimated at more than R2 billion.

The Swiss contractor subcontracted Impulse International despite Ms Choma’s shareholder status.

She allegedly pocketed R30 million from the deal. It’s alleged that Koko promised ABB further contracts worth billions, with his family benefiting from alleged kickbacks.

ABB also subcontracted Leago Engineering, at a cost of R96 million, before roping in Impulse International, also connected to the Koko family.

The contracts were all approved during the construction of Eskom’s Kusile Power Plant.

ABB agreed to return R1.5 billion to Eskom but has since said it would ringfence R6 billion to cover further costs as investigations into more irregularities progress.

Both the Kokos and local attorney Coetzee, maintain they’re innocent.

Coetzee has been added to the charge sheet due to his involvement in establishing trusts for Mosima Koko and her daughter, Koketso Aren, who are the developers of @3 on Buitekant.

The housing complex is alleged to have been constructed on proceeds of the fraud.

Construction of phase two of the housing complex has since been halted.

Koko’s strict bail restrictions were relaxed by the court during yesterday’s appearance.

He is no longer expected to report to the Douglasdale Police Station once a week.

Koko’s travel restrictions have also been lifted.

The state requested a further postponement for additional investigations.

They will appear in court again on September 4.