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WATCH: Alleged Eskom fraud fugitive Michael Lomas brought back to SA
A seven year fraud investigation has led to the extradition of Michael Lomas, who is linked to alleged improper payments relating to Kusile power station.
Kusile Power Station in Mpumalanga. Picture: Eskom
British national Michael Lomas has successfully been extradited to South Africa to face fraud charges.
The former Eskom contractor is facing 41 charges of corruption over a R745 million payment related to the construction of the Kusile power station.
Lomas was first ordered to return to South Africa in 2022, but his extradition was delayed as he sought to appeal the decision.
Wheeled into OR Tambo
Lomas arrived at OR Tambo at roughly 10am on Friday morning and was escorted through the public arrivals terminal to the airport’s police desk.
He was confined to a wheelchair, with the 75-year-old appearing to wear a neck brace as a nurse wheeled him through the busy terminal.
Watch Lomas arrive in SA:
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A UK court dismissed his appeal last month and authorities flew to Britain earlier this week to facilitate his transfer.
He is expected to be formally charged on Friday and will appear at the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court in due course.
Seven-year investigation
An investigation was launched in 2017 after a complaint was made about a contract relating to the multi-billion rand power station.
The Hawks enlisted the skills of the National Prosecuting Authority’s (NPA) Investigative Directorate, who had secured five arrest warrants by 2019.
ALSO READ: R2.2 billion Kusile corruption case takes new turn with latest arrest
The NPA confirmed in 2021 that the Investigative Directorate had obtained a R1.4 billion asset freezing order against the accused.
The warrant for Lomas’ arrest was issued after the Briton had left South Africa, setting the long extradition process in motion.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe confirmed to eNCA that two executives and two contractors have already been arrested, with Lomas being the fifth suspect in the case.
Arrested in England
Lomas was first arrested in 2021, with Bloomberg reporting that the Westminster Magistrate’s Court granted him £100 000 bail at the time.
He offered a further £250,000 as surety as he began his bid to convince the British courts that he had no case to answer in South Africa.
In December 2022, his extradition was approved and despite arguing that he would be a suicide risk, his appeal was dismissed in late August.
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