CHARLES MOLELE
BUILD One South Africa (BOSA) leader Mmusi Maimane has laid a criminal complaint against former Eskom CEO Andre De Ruyter, Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan and President Cyril Ramaphosa following allegations of widespread corruption at Eskom.
The case was opened at the Cape Town Central police station.
In a statement, Maimane confirmed he had laid a charge against De Ruyter, Gordhan and Ramaphosa in a bid to force them to disclose information about a high-ranking politician who is allegedly behind large-scale looting at Eskom.
“I have opened a criminal case legally compelling Andre De Ruyter and Pravin Gordhan to divulge any and all on Eskom looting. I have laid charges against the following individuals: Andre De Ruyter, Pravin Gordhan and Cyril Ramaphosa,” said Maimane.
“We are asking SAPS to investigate these allegations by Mr De Ruyter, the first step of which is to obtain an affidavit under oath from De Ruyter to confirm the following: the identity of the high-ranking ANC politician, the identity of the Cabinet Minister, whether De Ruyter complied with his obligations under Section 34 (2) of PRECCA in respect of the high-ranking ANC politician, and whether De Ruyter complied with his obligations under Section 34 (2) of PRECCA in respect of the Cabinet Minister.”
Maimane said Section 34(1) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA) requires any person who holds a position of authority, “who knows or ought reasonably to have known or suspected that any other person has committed an offence of corruption in terms of sections the Act involving an amount of R100 000.00 or more, must report such knowledge or suspicion to the police.”
“If he has reported this knowledge of corruption to the police, he and the SAPS would have proof of reporting. The reporting guide as published by the SAPS. refers to the Directions as published in the Government Gazette No. 35949 on 7 December 2012 under 1028. Importantly the reporting guide refers to an Annexure B as proof of reporting,” said Maimane.
“De Ruyter has stated in the television interview that he acknowledges his obligation to report all such crimes by law. If indeed he has done so. then he would have the “receipt” envisaged by the reporting guides of the SAPS to prove that he has done so.”
Last week, in an interview with broadcaster eNCA, De Ruyter told anchor Anika Larsen that some high-level ministers said people have got to eat, referring to corruption at Eskom.
De Ruyter also announced that he was leaving Eskom with immediate effect, just after attending a special meeting with Eskom board members.
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