Sparks fly at Eskom, again

Sparks are again flying around the top position of Eskom, months after former CEO Brian Molefe’s resignation under a cloud of suspicion after being implicated by the public protector for allegedly having improper business relations with the controversial Gupta family .

And once again, the public protector will be asked to investigate the Eskom CEO.

This time, Matshela Koko, who holds the position in an acting capacity, for allegedly awarding tenders worth R1 billion to Impulse International, a company at which his step-daughter Koketso Choma was a director.

“Impulse International was awarded eight contracts by Eskom’s generation unit during Koko’s tenure as group executive,” DA public enterprises shadow minister Natasha Mazzone said yesterday.

“Koko’s reported actions could show he is compromised and unfit to be the head of Eskom.

“By claiming he was not aware his daughter was involved with Impulse International, Koko inadvertently admits he failed in his role as the chief accounting officer to conduct due diligence on the company profile of a potential service provider.”

The South African National Civic Organisation (Sanco) yesterday joined the call for the public protector to investigate allegations of corruption against the acting CEO. “Public confidence in state institutions is eroded by allegations of state capture and perceptions that state-owned enterprises (SOEs) are cash cows for the elite, the politically connected, their cronies and families,” Sanco national spokesperson Jabu Mahlangu said.

Inaction on the part of SOE boards and principals supposed to be holding SOEs accountable were reinforcing perceptions that there was no political will to stamp out the rising tide of corruption, he said.

Mahlangu called on the Eskom board to lay corruption charges against Koko and suspend him pending the outcome of the probe by the public protector.

Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe said when Koko became aware of Choma’s involvement, he asked her to resign as a director and shareholder, which was done over September and October last year.

Impulse was brought on board to help Eskom deliver unit 1 of the Kusile power plant. Eskom yesterday said its board and the public enterprises ministry would probe the allegations. – Citizen reporter

Also see Page 12

Public confidence in state institutions is eroded by perceptions that SOEs are cash cows for the elite. Jabu Mahlangu Sanco national spokesperson