Court grants Eskom corruption-accused Michael Lomas R2 million bail

The Johannesburg High Court has granted 77-year-old Michael Lomas, a United Kingdom (UK) citizen, R2 million bail in connection with fraud allegations related to Eskom’s Kusile power station. The decision comes despite strong opposition from the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), which argued that Lomas was a flight risk.

Michael Lomas Extradited to Face Charges in South Africa

Lomas appeared before the Johannesburg High Court on Monday after being extradited from the UK in September to stand trial alongside his 11 co-accused.

According to reports, Lomas fled South Africa in 2018, first heading to Namibia before settling in the UK. His extradition was a long and complex process, with South African authorities working for years to bring him back to face justice.

Lomas’s Health Condition and Court Appearance

Unlike most accused individuals who are brought to court from the Darl prison holding cells, Lomas was transported by Hawks officials due to his frail condition.

The retired engineer, who was involved in a cycling accident while in the UK, now wears a neck brace and uses a walking frame. His legal team argued that his chronic health conditions created exceptional circumstances that made him eligible for bail, even though he is facing a Schedule 5 offence.

The National Prosecuting Authority’s Opposition

The NPA strongly opposed the bail application, arguing that Lomas posed a flight risk and could potentially flee the country again.

Additionally, during his extradition hearing in the UK, two psychiatrists classified him as suicidal, further raising concerns about whether he should be granted bail.

The prosecution insisted that granting bail could jeopardize the case, given Lomas’s previous attempts to evade justice by leaving South Africa in 2018.

Judge Rean Strydom’s Ruling

However, Judge Rean Strydom disagreed with the NPA’s stance and ultimately granted Lomas bail, ruling that:

“Having found that the applicant is not a flight risk and is no longer suicidal, I approached the matter from the perspective that freedom is a precious right protected by the constitution of this country.”

The judge’s decision emphasized the constitutional rights of individuals and the importance of ensuring a fair judicial process, regardless of the charges they face.

What Happens Next?

Despite securing bail, Lomas still has a long legal battle ahead. He and his 11 co-accused will return to court in July next year, when the trial is set to begin.

The case is one of many corruption-related investigations linked to Eskom, South Africa’s embattled power utility, which has been at the center of state capture and fraud allegations for years.

While Lomas has been granted bail, his legal troubles are far from over, and the upcoming trial will determine his fate and potential consequences for his alleged role in the corruption scandal.