Corruption-accused Michael Lomas to be monitored via cellphone while out on R2 million bail

Michael Lomas, the 77-year-old businessman facing corruption charges related to Eskom’s Kusile power station, has been released on bail under strict conditions. The Johannesburg High Court granted him bail set at R2 million on Monday, but with several stringent restrictions to ensure he remains under supervision while awaiting trial.

Lomas, who was extradited from the United Kingdom (UK) in September 2024 after failing to fight the legal process, is one of 12 individuals accused of corruption in a case involving an estimated R1.4 billion. The trial, however, is only scheduled to begin in July 2026, leaving Lomas in legal limbo for the next two years.

Given his advanced age and health concerns, Lomas has not been released to his private residence like his co-accused. Instead, he has been placed in a care facility similar to the one where he was previously housed in the UK. The court determined that this arrangement would provide the necessary medical supervision and security while he awaits trial.

Strict Bail Conditions to Prevent Flight Risk

The High Court imposed several conditions to prevent Lomas from fleeing the country or evading justice. One of the primary conditions requires him to surrender both his UK passport and his South African identity document to the investigating officer. This measure ensures that he cannot leave the country while awaiting trial.

Michael Lomas

However, one of the most unusual conditions imposed by the court is that Lomas must purchase a smartphone with tracking capabilities.

“The applicant should, within 48 hours of his release on bail, obtain a smart cellular phone with a location monitoring capacity, which should be enabled, and the particulars of which should be provided to the investigating officer. This will allow the IO [Investigating Officer] to monitor the applicant’s location at all times. This phone should always remain charged,” the court ruled.

This condition ensures that law enforcement authorities can track Lomas’s movements at all times, reducing the risk of him fleeing the country or attempting to disappear before his trial.

A Long-Awaited Trial and Serious Charges

Lomas, along with his 11 co-accused, faces a total of 65 corruption-related charges linked to Eskom’s Kusile power station. The massive R1.4 billion corruption case is one of the biggest financial scandals in South Africa’s history.

The charges stem from an investigation into fraudulent contracts and financial mismanagement during the construction of Kusile, one of Eskom’s largest power plants. The case has drawn significant public and political attention, given the ongoing electricity crisis in the country, which has been partly attributed to widespread corruption within Eskom.

Authorities believe that Lomas played a key role in orchestrating fraudulent contracts and misappropriating funds meant for the power station’s construction. While his legal team maintains that he is innocent, the state is determined to prove otherwise when the trial begins in 2026.

Medical and Psychological Concerns

Another major factor in Lomas’s bail conditions is his mental and physical health. During the court proceedings, the State argued that Lomas posed a suicide risk, citing psychiatric evaluations conducted by two doctors in the UK before his extradition.

As a result, the court ruled that he must continue receiving medical treatment and provide regular updates on his condition.

“The applicant must continue with his medical treatment and submit reports every three months from his doctors,” the ruling stated.

This requirement ensures that Lomas remains under medical supervision and receives the necessary psychological support while he awaits trial.

Public Reaction and Legal Implications

The case against Lomas and his co-accused has sparked widespread debate in South Africa. Many citizens have expressed frustration over the delays in high-profile corruption trials, arguing that justice is being postponed for too long.

Critics also argue that Lomas, as a wealthy businessman with international ties, should not have been granted bail, given the potential risk of him fleeing or manipulating legal processes. However, legal experts note that the strict conditions imposed—especially the cellphone tracking requirement—make it difficult for him to escape unnoticed.

With the trial set for 2026, many South Africans will be watching closely to see if justice is served in one of the country’s most significant corruption cases.

For now, Lomas remains under strict surveillance, with his every movement being monitored via his cellphone, as authorities ensure he does not evade accountability.