Former Eskom exec moves to scrap tax fraud charges
Former Eskom executive France Hlakudi wants the tax fraud charges levelled against him to be struck off the roll.
Hlakudi faces charges involving personal tax fraud totalling R30 million between 2015 and 2018.
He is also accused number one in the R745 million corruption case linked to the building of the Kusile power station.
Hlakudi appeared before the Pretoria Regional Court on Wednesday.
Investigating Directorate spokesperson Sindisiwe Twala says the matter was postponed to the 22 April.
“This is to allow the magistrate, Adriaan Bekker, to hand down judgment on the application brought by the defence for the striking off of the fraud charges in the tax evasion matter.
“Hlakudi’s team argued that the fraud charges should not be applicable in this matter and should be struck off before the matter proceeds to trial,” Twala says.
During the time in question, Hlakudi was senior manager for capital contracts at Kusile.
“The Investigating Directorate argued that Hlakudi intentionally defrauded the South African Revenue Services by failing to disclose his true income, which amounts to an intent to defraud the state,” Twala adds.
If found guilty, Hlakudi could face a minimum sentence of 15 years.
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