The Hawks have arrested fourteen suspects, including a former Nedbank employee, on charges of fraud and money laundering valued at more than R150 million.

The suspects, aged between 25 and 47, were arrested in Pretoria, Johannesburg and Krugersdorp on Tuesday morning by the Priority Crimes Directorate’s Gauteng Serious Commercial Crime Investigation.

Hawks spokesman Colonel Katlego Mogale said investigations were continuing.

“The main suspect is reported to have illegally made payments from suspended accounts amounting to over R157 million, which were further transferred to recipients who were not entitled to receive such money.

“The recipients involved are 23, including 15 individuals, seven entities and six banks,” Mogale said.

Mogale added that the suspects are expected to make their first appearance on Wednesday at the Specialized Commercial Crimes Court, which is at the Palm Ridge Court.

READ ALSO: Former Eskom employee convicted of fraud and corruption

Eskom fraud

Earlier this month, a former Eskom safety risk officer was found guilty of corruption and fraud totaling R58 000.

Thandi Ruth Magagula appeared at the Specialized Court for Commercial Crime in Middelburg, where the sentence was handed down.

The 41-year-old pleaded guilty to seven counts of corruption and two counts of fraud, leading to her conviction under section 17(1) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act 12 of 2004.

National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) regional spokesperson Monica Nyuswa said the former Eskom employee’s offenses stemmed from contracts awarded to a company called Mantoza Engineering Projects CC in 2015.

Sentence

Magagula was a director of Mantoza Engineering Projects while still employed by Eskom.

“Magagula did not disclose his financial interest in the company to Eskom management and continued to conduct business with the public entity while holding a directorship.

“This behavior breached the laws governing public servants and Eskom’s conflict of interest policies. During the plea proceedings, Magagula was sentenced in accordance with her guilty plea, confirming her role in the corrupt activities,” Nyuswa said.

Magagula was last week sentenced to a fine of R50,000 or two years in prison for seven counts of corruption – breaching the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA).

READ ALSO: Former deputy among seven arrested for alleged corruption