A British businessman, formerly a contractor for South Africa’s troubled power utility, Eskom, has been extradited from the United Kingdom to face serious corruption and fraud charges.
Michael Lomas, the managing director of Tubular Construction, stands accused of receiving kickbacks linked to contracts with Eskom for work at the Kusile power station, valued at over 1.5 billion rand (approximately $85 million or £64 million).
Authorities have stated that Lomas allegedly manipulated contracts and fled to the UK after his initial arrest, having secured bail. He has not yet publicly commented on the allegations.
Eskom, which is grappling with rampant corruption allegations, has been hindered by years of mismanagement, leading to protracted blackouts across South Africa.
Upon landing at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg early Friday morning, Lomas was transported in a wheelchair and under heavy police escort. Law enforcement revealed that due to his poor health, a medical doctor was present on the flight as part of the extradition process.
Lomas is scheduled to be formally charged at the Kempton Park Magistrate’s Court later today. The National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) initially sought his extradition in 2022, but proceedings were delayed while he pursued an unsuccessful appeal.
In connection with this case, Lomas faces charges alongside four alleged accomplices, including two senior Eskom executives and two other businessmen arrested in 2019. These individuals are charged with fraud, money laundering, and corruption for allegedly profiting from inflated contracts and kickbacks related to the Kusile power station project, which was intended to alleviate South Africa’s severe electricity shortages but has encountered significant delays and operational issues.
Authorities confirmed that Lomas, identified as a “wanted fugitive,” will be handed over to the Hawks, South Africa’s specialized police unit focused on economic crime, corruption, and organized crime. The Hawks have been investigating this case since 2017, following a complaint regarding one of the tenders.
