Lomas, Kgomoeswana plead guilty in R1.4 bn Eskom graft case
Updated Aug. 6, 2026, 4:58 p.m. | By JacarandaFM Newswatch Businessman Michael Lomas has been handed a suspended sentence in the R1.4 billion Eskom Kusile…
The Full Story
Updated Aug. 6, 2026, 4:58 p.m. | By JacarandaFM Newswatch
Businessman Michael Lomas has been handed a suspended sentence in the R1.4 billion Eskom Kusile graft matter involving 10 others.
Lomas appeared before the High Court in Johannesburg on Thursday, where he and co-accused Hudson Kgomeswana were granted a plea and sentence deal with the State.
The elderly businessman was convicted on 34 charges of corruption relating to payments made between February 2015 and April 2017 amounting to over R2.6 million from his personal account into a company owned by one of the accused.
“The charges also relate to twenty-four (24) rental payments for an apartment in Midrand, amounting to over R396 000, which benefited two former senior Eskom employees. This gratification was aimed at influencing the two to award a contract to a company Lomas was working for, Tubular Constructions Projects,” explained spokesperson for the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption's (IDAC) Henry Mamothame.
He said some of the factors considered in reaching the deal include Lomas' advanced age and his remorsefulness.
“Lomas was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment, which will be suspended for a period of 5 years. The conditions are that he should not be convicted for fraud, theft and/or the contravention of PRECCA.
“He will further provide the State with evidence against some of the accused in the main case. Meanwhile, the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) has rejected the proposed confiscation of R6m against the value of his assets, as it views the amount as not being reflective of the proportions of the money that was lost to the state through his criminal acts.”
READ: Court hears Eskom graft-accused Lomas is suicidal
Meanwhile, Kgomoeswana also pleaded guilty to one count of corruption in the contravention of PRECCA, 18 counts of money laundering and 15 counts of the Contravention of the Tax Act.
The charges relate to payments of over R6 million allegedly paid to a former Eskom senior employee as gratification from Tubular Group of companies, through Babinatlou Business Services, owned by Kgomoeswana.
“Following certain factors being considered, which include the seriousness of the charges, the remorse expressed by the accused, the interests of the complainants, SARS and Eskom Holdings, he was sentenced to 15 years imprisonment on the corruption and money laundering charges of which with 10 years are suspended for a period of 5 years, provided he doesn’t commit similar offences during the suspension period. He was further sentenced to 5 years direct imprisonment on 15 counts of the contravention of the Tax Administration Act for evading tax.”
Mamothame said the sentences will run concurrently.
Joburg ranked among world's best cities for street food
South Africa has made another global list!
Hilarious moment politician joins council meeting from bathroom
Is there really anything wrong with this?