A former Eskom employee has been sentenced to an effective 10 years in prison for her role in a fraudulent scheme that caused the power utility to lose approximately R1.8 million.

The Nelspruit court sentenced Cinderella Thabisile Muropane on Friday, 2 October 2026 after a Hawks investigation uncovered a scheme involving fraudulent invoices and payments processed for work that had not been performed.

Muropane was employed at Eskom’s Nelspruit offices when the alleged fraudulent transactions took place.

According to the Hawks, the investigation established that Mandla Lines CC, owned by David Mthetwa, had been contracted by Eskom on a live-work basis from 1 April 2012 to 31 March 2013.

However, the company’s last legitimate work order was issued on 2 May 2012.

The Hawks said Mandla Lines CC subsequently performed no further work for Eskom, with another contractor carrying out the work and being paid by the utility.

Despite this, fraudulent invoices were allegedly generated in Mandla Lines CC’s name from Eskom’s Nelspruit offices.

The invoices resulted in payments being processed into the company’s bank account for work it had not carried out, ultimately causing Eskom an estimated loss of R1.8 million.

Muropane was convicted on multiple counts of fraud.

She received a 10-year sentence on counts 1 to 16, while counts 17 to 55 and counts 56 to 94 each attracted seven-year sentences.

The court ordered that the sentences run concurrently, leaving Muropane with an effective sentence of 10 years’ direct imprisonment.

Hawks Mpumalanga Provincial Head Major General Nico Gerber welcomed the sentence, warning that public funds cannot be treated as personal property.

“Public money is not a personal purse, and positions of trust must never be turned into platforms for fraud,” Gerber said.

He said the conviction demonstrated the Hawks’ commitment to pursuing individuals accused of manipulating systems, falsifying transactions and diverting public resources.

“We will continue following the money, strengthening investigations and ensuring that those who abuse public institutions are brought before the courts,” Gerber said.

The Hawks said fraud involving public institutions extends beyond the immediate financial loss, arguing that such crimes undermine public confidence and divert resources intended to serve communities.