Eskom to recover 1.6bn from McKinsey, Trillian

The power utility says it has sought McKinsey and Trillian's cooperation in respectively returning R1 billion and R564 million.

Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe says the money was paid to the companies in 2016 and 2017.

"The preliminary indications of the investigation that Eskom has done, is that the money was paid unlawfully and as a result were are in the process of recovering the money.

"Some of the people who were involved in the payments of this money have already been suspended and disciplinary measures will be taken in due course," Phasiwe says.

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He explains the payments were unlawful as they were not disclosed or signed off.

"We as a company has been saying that we did not make any payments to Trillian by virtue of Trillian not having any contract with Eskom," Phasiwe says.

He adds, "We didn't know at the time that unfortunately some of our managers were working... clandestinely in an effort to pay the money."

Three managers have subsequently been suspended. 

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Eskom says: "Being such a critical entity, which is inextricably tied to the nation's economy, it is in the public interest to do everything we can as Eskom to claw back all the fees which were unlawfully paid, while expediting the disciplinary processes currently underway."

The parastatal has written to the companies detailing the actions it would take. 

"Eskom is obliged, pursuant to its statutory and common law duties, including the PFMA (Public Finance Management Act) and the Companies Act, to seek to set aside these unlawful decisions and to have all the money unlawfully paid out returned."

Phasiwe explains while the investigations are still underway, more officials could be implicated.