The 77-year-old man faces more than 60 corruption charges linked to a R1.4 billion contract to upgrade Eskom’s Kusile power station in Mpumalanga between 2014 and 2017.

This was his third court appearance since arriving in South Africa last month after being extradited from the United Kingdom.

He was charged along with Eskom group capital division manager Abram Masango, former Eskom group capital division executive France Hlakudi, Pipe Construction Project Owner Antonio José Trindade and Babinatlou Business Services owner Hudson Kgomoeswana, following an investigation by the Special Investigator. Unit (SIU) uncovered evidence of criminal activity against them.

Lomas had already left the country with the arrest of four other defendants in 2019, sparking the extradition process.

The businessman was arrested in England in 2021 and released on bail of 1.7 million rupees.

After his extradition was finalized between the two countries in January last year, Lomas made five applications to prevent his return to South Africa.

Speaking before the court session, National Prosecuting Authority Investigation Directorate spokesman Henry Mamothame said they hoped to consolidate Lomas’ case with the cases of 11 other defendants in the Supreme Court.

“The last time we were here, the matter was postponed until today for the state to officially announce the case file. So we will do that today and we hope that the matter will be taken to the high court.”

While Lomas was wheeled through the terminal gates of OR Tambo International Airport upon his arrival and appeared in court wearing a neck brace ever since, Mamothame said the state was not informed of the defendant’s intentions when he appeared in court on Monday. to apply for bail.

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