Former Eskom boss tells of minister’s meddling

Brown denies forcing list implementation

FORMER Eskom board chairperson Zola Tsotsi has testified at the Zondo commission that Gupta associate Salim Essa interfered and recommended names of those who should be included in Eskom’s committees.

Tsotsi returned to give testimony yesterday.

He explained that Tony Gupta had introduced him to Essa.

Essa had been linked to various incidents of corruption at state-owned enterprises and was seen as a middle man for the Gupta family.

He has been named extensively in evidence given at the commission, including testimony regarding Transnet.

Tsotsi said he had received an email from Essa, in 2014, which contained a list of members to be included in certain board committees at Eskom.

Tsotsi said he compiled his own list of board committee members and sent it to then-public enterprises minister Lynne Brown. He said when Brown responded, she had compiled her own list of who should be included in the committees.

The list was exactly the same one Essa had sent to Tsotsi. When the former board chairperson enquired, Brown instructed him to use her list.

Tsotsi mentioned that at the time, Brown was in Mozambique on holiday and he said he was told by Essa where Brown was at the time, in December 2014.

Deputy Chief Justice Raymond Zondo has instructed the commission’s investigators to look into whether Brown was in Mozambique.

Brown’s affidavit filed to the commission disputes Tsotsi’s version. She denies compiling her own list and forcing Tsotsi to implement it.

Tsotsi, in response to Brown’s denials, said he was certain Brown did force him to implement her list of committee members. He said the then minister was pushing alternative interests on the matter.

“It became clear she was fulfilling other interests Zola Tsotsi Former Eskom Board Chairperson

“The minister ordinarily would get involved through her being aware of who is on the list. When I sent it to her it was for that reason.

“It became clear she was fulfilling other interests. She was at the behest of someone else. She was imposing this list on the board. I did not want to resist that at the time, because I thought it was important to keep relations with the shareholder for the company,” Tsotsi explained.

Tsotsi said in his own analysis, the Guptas were instrumental in pushing for the removal of Eskom executives and ensuring they were replaced by their own lieutenants.

Then Eskom chief executive Tshedisio Matona was replaced with the then Transnet chief executive Brian Molefe.

Tsotsi lasted a few months in his new term as Eskom chair and resigned in March 2015. Before his departure, his fellow board members had turned against him and began questioning his leadership.

He was charged by his fellow board members of appointing an external consultant Nick Linnel, who had been brought in to assist the board to institute an inquiry into Eskom.

He said the entire board had agreed on Linnel’s appointment, but he was charged with abusing his power.

Zondo observed Tsotsi’s departure as a concern especially because the board’s unhappiness with him was based only on two or three meetings it had held following its appointment.