Eskom board behind executives
THE board of power utility Eskom has come out in support of the beleaguered executive management, saying it has confidence in its internal processes.
This comes hot on the heels of Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) resolving on Wednesday to probe the allegations levelled against chief executive Andre de Ruyter by suspended chief procurement officer Solly Tshitangano.
This took place as the parliamentarians cancelled a hearing into the Eskom’s 2019/20 annual report with deviations and expansion of contracts made to the National Treasury at the centre of the probe.
Yesterday, spokesperson Sikhonathi Mantshantsha said the board affirmed its support and confidence in the executive management in instilling a high performance culture, including the application of appropriate consequence management in accordance with Eskom’s internal disciplinary processes.
“The board has complete faith in the company’s internal processes and governance procedures to deliver a fair process and outcome on the matter of the suspended chief procurement officer,” Mantshantsha said.
He said the executive management was fully accountable to the board.
“The board is confident that the management team is currently performing its critically important duties to restore Eskom to operational stability and a sustainable financial position.”
Meanwhile, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said it was highly disturbed by the allegations of racism levelled against De Ruyter and other managers for purging black suppliers.
Tshitangano had alleged that De Ruyter preferred white-owned companies over black-owned companies, among other things.
NUM acting general secretary William Mabapa said the allegations were serious.
“The NUM stands firm in its support for Parliament’s Scopa to probe the allegations against De Ruyter.”