Antonio Trindade, a former contractor for Eskom, has been found unfit to stand trial in connection with the R1.4 billion upgrade to the Kusile Power Station.
The Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg received a psychiatric report indicating that Trindade suffers from a “major neurocognitive disorder” following a stroke he experienced in December of last year.
Background on the Case
Trindade, who previously served as CEO of Tubular Construction, is accused of receiving contracts under dubious circumstances, allegedly due to pressure from former Eskom executives, including Abram Masango.
Reports suggest that Masango received substantial kickbacks in exchange for facilitating these contracts.
During the court proceedings on Tuesday, a panel of three psychiatrists and a psychologist presented their findings, stating that Trindade’s condition rendered him unfit for trial.
As a result, the State requested a separation of his trial from that of his co-accused.
Court Proceedings and Updates
Trindade was not present in court during the hearing. He had been admitted to Sterkfontein Psychiatric Hospital on November 11, following a court order issued three days prior.
The State requested that his trial be postponed until May 8, 2025, to assess any potential improvement in his condition. If no improvement is noted by that date, the court will determine the next steps.
The State also sought to cancel the warrant for Trindade’s detention issued during his referral to Sterkfontein and requested the reinstatement of his bail amount of R300,000. Both requests were granted by the court.
Co-Accused Appearances
Trindade faces charges alongside several co-accused individuals, including Hlakudi and Masango, as well as businessman Maphoko Kgomoeswana and former Tubular advisor Michael Lomas.
Lomas made his first appearance with his co-accused after previously appearing alone in other courts.
His advocate argued for free bail, citing Lomas’ release on bail in the UK following his arrest there in 2021.
Ongoing Legal Challenges
The case against Trindade and his co-accused continues to unfold amid significant public interest due to the scale of the alleged corruption involving Eskom and the Kusile Power Station project.
As legal proceedings progress, the focus will remain on ensuring accountability and transparency within South Africa’s energy sector.
The next hearing for Trindade’s co-accused is scheduled for March 5, 2025.
