PHUTI MOSOMANE
ON Thursday, Mkhuleko Hlengwa, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA), announced that Andre de Ruyter, the former CEO of Eskom, will be submitting a written statement and appearing before Parliament to address allegations of corruption within the power utility.
According to Hlengwa, SCOPA has received a letter from MP Bheki Hadebe requesting that the committee urgently invite former Eskom Group CEO to provide additional information regarding the allegations he made in the media on February 23rd, 2023.
After tabling Hadebe’s letter, SCOPA resolved to invite de Ruyter to engage with the committee on the allegations he raised regarding corruption, theft, maladministration, sabotage, lack of consequence management, the existence of cartels and other financial irregularities at Eskom.
“Subsequent to that invitation, sent on 17 March 2023, the committee has received a response from Mr de Ruyter through his legal representatives acceding to the committee’s request. In his response, Mr de Ruyter indicated that he will present a written submission to the committee on the issues he has raised, and is agreeable to appearing before it at a date to be determined by the committee,” Hlengwa said.
He said the committee believes that it is important for it to engage with de Ruyter on these issues in line with its constitutional mandate of holding Eskom accountable on matters related to the financial administration of the power utility, including the procurement of goods and services.
The South African Federation of Trade Unions (SAFTU) General Secretary Zwelinzima Vavi has laid charges against former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter.
The ANC Secretary-General Fikile Mbalula said the party has been trying to locate him in an effort to get more clarity on the allegations he has made about ANC bigwigs being involved in corruption at Eskom.
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