The Standing Committee on Public Accounts has stated that Eskom should not miss the opportunity to interrogate the issues raised by the former Group Chief Executive Officer of Eskom, Mr André de Ruyter.
The committee met yesterday with the current Eskom Board, Mr Mpho Makwana, and the former Chairperson of the previous Eskom Board, Prof Malegapuru Makgoba, to discuss the allegations levelled by Mr de Ruyter of corruption, theft, maladministration, sabotage and lack of consequence management, cartels and various financial irregularities.
The Chairperson of the committee, Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa, said whilst Mr de Ruyter’s conduct in participating in a public interview may be questionable, the opportunity to interrogate the substantive issues he raised that go to the heart of the problems at Eskom should not be missed. “Eskom can’t divorce itself from the investigations that are taking place. You have a direct interest in those things.”
Mr Hlengwa asked Mr Makwana whether Eskom has seen a copy of the intelligence report commissioned by Mr de Ruyter from a private company. Mr Makwana said: “Chair, I have said emphatically before in replying to the first round of questions that we have never had sight of that report.” Mr Hlengwa said the cost of the intelligence report indicates its scope. “You can’t have an elusive report to the tune of R50 million. It tells you its scope. We will have to come back to this,” he added.
The committee is scheduled to meet with the Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Pravin Gordhan, next week Wednesday, 17 May 2023, on the allegations levelled by Mr de Ruyter.
Faith Ndenze
11 May 2023
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