Former Eskom Employee Cinderella Thabisile Muropane Sentenced to 10 Years for R1.8M Fraud

Mbombela (Nelspruit) – Cinderella Thabisile Muropane, previously employed by Eskom, has received a 10-year sentence for embezzling R1.8 million from the power utility.

Some may have believed that, akin to the fairy tale, Cinderella had unexpectedly come into a significant fortune.

However, an investigation by elite crime-fighting unit, the Hawks, uncovered that Cinderella had defrauded Eskom of approximately R1.8 million.

The scheme involved the processing of fraudulent invoices from a contractor that had ceased providing services to Eskom.

This incident dates back to 2013 when Muropane was working at Eskom’s Nelspruit offices.

The investigation disclosed that Mandla Lines CC, run by David Mthetwa, was engaged by Eskom on a live-work basis from April 1, 2012, to March 31, 2013.

However, the last legitimate work order for the company was issued on May 2, 2012.

After that point, Mandla Lines CC undertook no further tasks for Eskom.

The work was instead executed by another contractor, for which Eskom duly compensated for the services provided.

In spite of this, fraudulent invoices were allegedly generated under Mandla Lines CC’s name from Eskom’s Nelspruit offices, leading to payments processed into the company’s bank account for work that was never completed.

These fraudulent transactions ultimately inflicted a financial loss of around R1.8 million on Eskom.

Following a thorough inquiry by the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation (SCCI) unit in Middelburg, Cinderella was arrested and subsequently prosecuted.

On Friday, October 2, 2026, Cinderella appeared in the Nelspruit Magistrate’s Court, where she was sentenced.

Unlike the fairy tale, Cinderella did not achieve wealth and happiness; rather, she forfeited her job and her freedom.

Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Magonseni Nkosi outlined the sentencing for multiple fraud counts as follows:

• Counts 1–16: 10 years’ imprisonment.
• Counts 17–55: 7 years’ imprisonment.
• Counts 56–94: 7 years’ imprisonment.

“All sentences will be served concurrently, resulting in an effective term of 10 years’ direct imprisonment,” stated Lieutenant Colonel Nkosi.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, praised the sentence, indicating that it exemplifies the repercussions for those who misuse positions of trust to engage in the illegal acquisition of public funds.

“Public money is not a personal treasure, and positions of trust must never be exploited for fraudulent gains,” asserted Major General Gerber.

“This conviction and sentence affirm that the Hawks will tirelessly pursue individuals who exploit systems, falsify transactions, and unlawfully divert public resources.

“We will persist in following the money trail, enhancing investigations, and ensuring that those who abuse public institutions face justice in court.”