NPA's bid to deny corruption-accused Lomas bail on grounds that he is suicidal dismissed
The retired engineer and 11 others are accused of fraud related to R1.4 billion that was meant for the repair of the Kusile power station in Mpumalanga.
Michael Lomas appeared in the Johannesburg High Court on 17 March 2025. Picture: Kgomotso Modise/EWN
JOHANNESBURG - The Johannesburg High Court has dismissed the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA)’s argument that graft-accused Michael Lomas is suicidal and should not be granted bail.
Lomas, who faces 65 counts of corruption was granted bail of R2 million on Monday.
The retired engineer and 11 others are accused of fraud related to R1.4 billion that was meant for the repair of the Kusile power station in Mpumalanga.
During Lomas’s extradition hearing, the State cited two reports from psychiatrists in the United Kingdom (UK) who categorised him as suicidal.
But another doctor cleared him during his bail application.
Judge Rean Strydom accepted this evidence.
"Since the finding on 28 August 2024, the applicant was extradited to South Africa and been in detention for about five months. There is no evidence that he attempted to commit suicide during this period and more importantly according to the evidence of the psychiatrist appointed by DCS, the applicant has adjusted well in custody and is no longer suicidal."