Scopa calls for Eskom to speed up investigations of its officials

PARLIAMENT’S standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) has called on Eskom to investigate any allegations levelled against officials, and to avoid delays in the hearings.

This was after Eskom presented its report to Scopa yesterday that cleared its chief executive, Andre de Ruyter, following allegations of racism made against him by former Eskom chief procurement officer Solly Tshitangano.

Tshitangano was dismissed late last month after he was found guilty of misconduct.

Scopa chairperson Mkhuleko Hlengwa said they would meet to discuss the report later.

EFF MP Ntombovuyo Mente said despite the report from Eskom, Scopa would meet later to do its own work on the matter.

The matter was initially tabled before Scopa last year, but it was shelved after it emerged that Eskom had appointed a senior counsel to conduct an investigation.

This was after Tshitangano had written to Scopa and accused De Ruyter of racism.

But Eskom chairperson Professor Malegapuru Makgoba said the report had cleared De Ruyter of racism allegations.

Hlengwa said Eskom should have investigated the allegations immediately. He said the matter had landed on Scopa’s desk last year and had only been finalised now.

“It becomes a problem, a stumbling block. Mente is correct that we will deal with the substantive issues in due course,” said Hlengwa.

Mente said Scopa had shelved the investigation to give Eskom an opportunity to conduct its own probe.