Bid for further probes angers Molefe, Koko

FORMER Eskom executives Brian Molefe and Matshela Koko have decried the latest state capture inquiry report, questioning the recommendation that further investigations into their activities be carried out by law enforcement agencies.

The two were reacting after Chief Justice Raymond Zondo’s report on state capture at Eskom, released last week, stated that there was a “pervasive culture of corrupt practices, mismanagement and malfeasance that had been inculcated within Eskom promoted by executives and board members since 2014”.

Justice Zondo has recommended that former Eskom executives Anoj Singh, Molefe and Koko and the power utilities’ board from 2014 be investigated by law enforcement agencies.

He said Singh, Koko and Molefe and board members should be probed and possibly prosecuted for failing “to exercise their fiduciary duties and prevent financial prejudice” to the power utility in terms of the Public Finance Management Act.

Former Eskom CEO Koko, who has denied any wrongdoing, said the recommendation was no different to that of the National Treasury and Parliament’s inquiry into Eskom.

“I am inclined to say bring it on. National Treasury investigated me and recommended further investigation by the Hawks and the NPA.

“The Eskom inquiry did the same. This latest recommendation is no different from the National Treasury decision. The NPA must do their job and they have been set up to fail,” said Koko.

Former Eskom group executive Molefe, who has also denied any wrongdoing, said he was frustrated by the process as the investigation had gone on for seven years and now further investigations were being recommended.

“It is a pity that the matter could not be brought to finality. Former public protector Thuli Madonsela said Zondo must investigate and now he is calling for further investigation. It is frustrating,” Molefe said.

Meanwhile, the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has again called for criminal charges and civil claims against Singh.

Last year, Singh, the former Eskom CFO, told the Zondo inquiry that he was disputing claims made by McKinsey that he had signed a controversial deal with the company but had backdated the deal.

Eskom paid McKinsey and the Gupta-linked Trillian R1.6 billion for six months of work. McKinsey returned the money it had been paid and Eskom is involved in court action to recover the money from Trillian.

Singh, who is also the former CFO of Transnet, also claimed to have no recollection about closed door deals by consultancy firm Regiments Capital, owned by Gupta associate Salim Essa and Transnet during its project to purchase 1 064 locomotives. Regiments worked with McKinsey on the project.

Outa CEO Wayne Duvenage said the release of the reports on Transnet and Eskom by Justice Zondo were clear on the recommendations with regards to Singh’s roles as the chief accounting officer at both entities.

“He needs to face the music as much as the others who have been implicated. The NPA has been far too slow.”

Singh could not be reached for comment yesterday.