Ex-Eskom contractor Michael Lomas is set to petition for bail in the Palm Ridge Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Friday.
Lomas arrived in South Africa on September 20, 2024, after successfully been extradited from the United Kingdom in August 2024.
The alleged fraudster landed on a flight accompanied by the South African authorities Services (SAPS) Interpol, and authorities said there was a medical doctor on board since Lomas was not in good health.
He entered OR Tambo International Airport’s arrivals area in a wheelchair.
Lomas appeared in Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court immediately after his arrival and is still in police detention.
The ex-Eskom contractor is charged with 65 charges of corruption relating to the R1.4 billion earmarked for the refurbishment of Eskom’s Kusile power facility in Mpumalanga between 2014 and 2017.
According to Henry Mamothame, spokeswoman for the Investigating Directorate Against Corruption (IDAC), Lomas was detained in London in 2021 and extradited in August 2024.
According to Mamothame, Lomas filed four appeals contesting his extradition, all of which were dismissed.
“In an attempt to evade extradition to South Africa, he lodged an application with the European Court of Human Rights, and it was also unsuccessful.”
Mamothame stated that 11 other people have been charged in connection with the same case.
This comprises former Eskom executives and Tibular Construction Projects directors.
According to the IDAC, the NPA’s Asset Forfeiture Unit (AFU) was granted a restriction order against their assets totaling around R1.4 billion.
“The matter involving the 11 accused is currently before the Johannesburg High Court.”
“Lomas will be charged and processed in the lower court before his matter is combined with the others.”
