Plot thickens in Eskom corruption probe

Eskom’s former Acting Chairperson, Malegapuru Makgoba, says that President Cyril Ramaphosa and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan were aware of the controversial investigation into corruption at Eskom launched by former Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter.

De Ruyter made waves earlier this year when he delivered an explosive interview with eNCA, where he claimed that high-level politicians from the ANC were aware of and involved in corruption at the embattled power utility.

The allegations are reportedly rooted in several “intelligence reports” from a privately funded investigation carried out by George Fivaz Forensic & Risk.

In the months following the interview, the investigations have become a major point of contention and have come under about as much scrutiny as the allegations themselves.

The allegations received widespread criticism from officials, with current Eskom board chairperson, Mpho Makwana, saying that de Ruyter’s comments were misleading and damaging to Eskom’s reputation.

Makwana said that the allegations were presented as if they had first been shared with the board, which they were not.

He added that de Ruyter also misled the public by indicating that no action was taken internally at Eskom, noting that the group’s State Capture task team had arrested numerous executives.

Briefing Scopa on the matter, South Africa’s security bodies, including the SAPS, the Hawks, and the Special Investigating Unit, said they were unaware of the unvetted investigations, with only the national police commissioner, Fannie Masemola, admitting that he was aware of an investigation taking place.

Police, Hawks and SIU left scratching their heads over Eskom corruption claims

However, Makgoba said that senior government officials were informed about the investigation by de Ruyter, and even received updates.

Makgoba added that Gordhan was not only aware of the investigation but may have tacitly greenlit it, having requested that de Ruyter launch an investigation into Eskom as it was “besieged” at the time.

The minister didn’t specify how the investigation should be done but stressed that the issues had to be addressed as load shedding and criminal activities were increasing.

“The executive and the shareholder said that there must be a way that we can try and get on top of the matter – and that must be left to the executive. That executive was headed by (de Ruyter). I believe that when he decided to get this intelligence, he decided to do it on his own without involving his executive,” Makgoba said.

“The board, as a board, did not sanction a particular request as this was an operational matter, and he had the authority to do that.”

Makgoba said that it is up to group chief executives to manage operational issues and when there is pertinent data or information to take this to the board. He said that it is not the role of the board to control CEOs.

When de Ruyter appeared before Scopa, he was regularly questioned over the identity of a senior minister and another high-ranking politician who he alleged were aware of the entrenched corruption at Eskom.

However, de Ruyter said that he could not name the individuals over safety fears, saying that Gordhan is best suited to answer the committee.

Gordhan is scheduled to speak before Scopa in the coming weeks after he returns from a trip to China where he is addressing an issue with one of Transnet’s suppliers.

Dr  Mufamadi is also scheduled to appear before Scopa over the probe.

Read: South Africa just hit a bleak load shedding milestone

Plot thickens in Eskom corruption probe