Eskom employee in alleged R8m corruption scheme

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has exposed an alleged R8 million bribery and corruption scheme.

According to the SIU, an Eskom employee and his family funnelled illicit kickbacks through a family-linked company to bankroll a luxury property in Bendor, Polokwane, and other personal perks.

In a statement, the SIU said it secured a preservation order from the Special Tribunal to freeze a luxury property in Bendor, Polokwane, and a motor vehicle.

It added that an Eskom employee and his family apparently received around R8 million in payments from companies unlawfully favoured in a R54 million tender.

The SIU said the scheme was orchestrated through a tight-knit web of family and friends.

Johannes Mfalapitsa, the “Employer's Agent” and technical evaluator for Eskom's R54 million tender for High-Definition Surveying Services, allegedly had winning bidders make payments to his family directly and through an associated company.

Mfalapitsa’s spouse, Ndiyafhi Denge, allegedly received over R2.2 million, while his brother, David Mfalapitsa, pocketed more than R228,000 from a director at one of the favoured companies.

The network also apparently included Mpho Negondeni, whom Denge "raised as her own child," and her company Tabogambambe (Pty) Ltd, which the SIU says served as a conduit for the illicit funds.

“Over R3.6 million flowed from [Eskom] service providers to them, which was then used to pay for the construction of the Bendor property and to make payments to Denge,” the SIU said in a statement. 

The investigation also revealed a close connection between Mfalapitsa and Bulelani Lengoasa, director of Buzwe Geomatics Engineering Services (Pty) Ltd.

Lengoasa is alleged to have personally directed cash towards Mfalapitsa's brother and disbursed more than R155,000 to contractors constructing a swimming pool and balustrades at the Bendor property.

In a statement, the SIU said “Mfalapitsa occupied multiple conflicting roles in the tender process, in direct violation of Eskom's Conflict of Interest Policy”.

The SIU said Mfalapitsa "helped draft the tender's scope of work, evaluated bidders' technical submissions, and was appointed the project manager for the awarded contract”.

While evaluating bids, Denge was already receiving payments from one bidder, NTG Solutions CC, which Mfalapitsa failed to declare in annual conflict of interest statements from 2016 to 2024. He is currently suspended, with disciplinary action pending.

When following the money, the SIU found that Eskom paid three service providers – Buzwe, NTG Solutions, and Litha Langa Consulting – over R29 million under the contract.

These companies then allegedly made round-figure, VAT-less payments to Mfalapitsa’s network.

Buzwe, the largest recipient with 25% of the contract, allegedly funnelled an estimated R7 million to the family network.

It was these funds that were used to buy building materials, pay contractors, and install luxury features such as a swimming pool and balustrades at the Bendor property, registered in Denge's name.

The preservation order targets two key assets. One is the Bendor property, valued at R3.9 million, which had at least R1.5 million in construction costs traced to unlawful payments.

A Nissan NP200, bought by Mfalapitsa from another Eskom employee, was also frozen.

The Special Tribunal, in an order granted by Judge M Victor, bars Mfalapitsa, Denge, and others from selling or dealing with the assets.

The SIU said the interim measure secures the assets while it prepares civil action to review Eskom's R54 million tender award and recover financial losses to the state.

The unit, authorised by President Cyril Ramaphosa, can institute civil action or refer criminal evidence to the National Prosecuting Authority.