Members of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) met yesterday with the management of Eskom’s Tutuka Power Station as part of a week-long oversight programme.
On the decision to shut down the Tutuka power station sometime in the near future, committee member Mr Sakhumzi Somyo asked Tutuka management if the shut-down will go ahead, given its contribution of power to the grid. In response, the station’s General Manager Mr Bheki Nxumalo said Eskom has been forced to rethink that decision.
Another SCOPA member Ms Nonhlanhla Mkhonto wanted to know if Eskom has conducted lifestyle audits of its employees. The Chairperson of the Eskom Board, Mr Mpho Makwana, said three steps have to be resolved before this can be achieved. “We intend to engage an audit firm to assess the risk that the company is exposed to. And what best practices can be implemented to out root fraud and corruption.” A law firm will also be appointed to conduct a review of due diligence to determine Eskom’s compliance with legislation aimed at arresting criminality. Eskom also plans to use the financial sector to ensure that Eskom employees and their relatives do not do business with Eskom.
In response to a question about criminality in the procurement department, Tutuka’s general manager Mr Bruce Moyo said they are currently reviewing contracts to determine the existence of any wrong-doing.
Another committee member Mr Bheki Hadebe wanted to know about the cartels that are allegedly operating at Tutuka, but Mr Moyo replied by saying that he has not had any experience of cartels operating there.
SCOPA Chairperson Mr Mkhuleko Hlengwa questioned why the previous general manager at the plant was forced to wear a bullet-proof vest and had to be accompanied by security personnel around the clock”. But Mr Moyo again replied by saying that he had no personal experience of this, “… other than the incident in which our colleague’s car, who was a witness at Commission for Conciliation Mediation and Arbitration, was recently shot at.”
Mr Hlengwa pressed the point, saying, “Let’s not downplay the reality of the criminality of cartels when the plant has a strong SANDF presence” Mr Hlengwa also criticised the action of the South African Police Service (SAPS) who have not fast-tracked the prosecution of those accused of illegality. “Where’s the bottle neck in investigations when we are told of cartels and cabals running this plant. We are not feeling, let alone seeing the role of SAPS in convicting criminal elements. SAPS has just not been there when it is most needed.”
Mr Hlengwa continued: “I am saying all this because investigations that result in prosecution have a deterrent to crime. When that is not happening, people dare to continue with their criminality.” SAPS must “step up and shape up, you are a missing link”, he insisted. Mr Hlengwa asked SAPS to take the committee into its confidence, because South Africa depends on its law enforcement agencies to fight cartels and cabals at power plants.
Abel Mputing
20 June 2023
Arrange a tour