Eskom intent on pursuing minor charges against staffer

FOR an entity with gigantic problems, Eskom has pursued its trivial charges against suspended head of legal services Suzanne Daniels with uncharacteristic vigour.

There is absolutely nothing wrong with an organisation holding one of its senior executives accountable if there is suspected wrongdoing. Except, as the evidence keeps piling up, Eskom is anything but the poster boy of accountability and good governance.

Testimony of various current and former Eskom executives to the parliamentary inquiry into Eskom paints a picture of corrupt behaviour and colossal failures of governance and accountability at the power utility.

Daniels, incidentally one of the executives who opened the proverbial can of worms for Eskom at the parliamentary hearings, is fighting for her job after she was suspended last October. A perusal of the charges she is facing make for interesting reading.

Among others, Eskom has hauled her over the coals for spending more than R66 000 on a two-day team-building exercise for her staff of 20 outside Pretoria last year.

Eskom did not suffer any losses because Daniels eventually settled the bill. She was also charged for spending R9 600 on legal advice.

Daniels has been sitting at home since October, on full pay. The matter could drag on for another few months.

Her case at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration was this week adjourned to next month. – Siseko Njobeni