Former Eskom contractor extradited to SA for Kusile fraud and ...

A former contractor at power utility Eskom, Michael Lomas, wanted in connection with the R745 million Kusile fraud and corruption case, is being extradited to South Africa. (Gallo Images/Daily Maverick/Felix Dlangamandla)

Michael Lomas, a former contractor at power utility Eskom, wanted in connection with the R745 million Kusile fraud and corruption case, is being extradited to South Africa.

Lomas, who has been in the United Kingdom, is expected to land at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg at 09:00 on Friday.

"Lomas, a wanted fugitive, is being extradited back into the country by SAPS Interpol SA and will be handed over to the Hawks," national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe told News24.

READ| UK court orders extradition of fugitive wanted in SA for R745m Eskom fraud case

The National Prosecuting Authority's Investigating Directorate (ID), with the help of the Department of Justice and UK-based lawyers, successfully argued for his extradition in 2022.

Lomas was arrested by British police in 2021 at the request of South African authorities.

He was granted bail of £100 000 (about R1.7 million) and was asked to submit an additional surety of £250 000 (about R4.3 million).

At the time, ID head Andrea Johnson said there had been months of talks with UK authorities about the fraud and corruption case.

According to the ID, Eskom paid R745 million to Tubular Construction Projects, exposing the state-owned entity to R1.4 billion in costs as per the escalation of the contract.

The request made by South African authorities was for Lomas to stand trial with his co-accused former Eskom managers, Frans Hlakudi and Abram Masango, businessman Maphoko Kgomoeswana, and Tubular Construction CEO Antonio Trindade.

Hlakudi, Masango, Kgomoeswana and Trindade are facing charges of fraud, corruption, money laundering, and offering and receiving unauthorised gratifications.