Eskom, SIU move to recoup R3.8bn from Guptas, Molefe, others
Eskom and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) have filed papers at the High Court in Pretoria in a bid to recoup at least R3.8 billion from former Eskom executives and board members, as well as members of the Gupta family.
The embattled power utility has faced off with former officials and the infamous Gupta family for the past several years after an explosive report uncovered mismanagement of funds by executives.
“This delictual claim for damages that Eskom suffered relates to the recovery of approximately R3.8 billion in funds illegally diverted from Eskom to help the Gupta family and its associates to acquire the operations of OCH, which owned the Optimum Coal Mining (Pty) Ltd that supplied the Hendrina power station with coal,” says Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha.
“The further delictual claim for damages pertains to the payments that were unlawfully made to Trillian by Eskom executives.”
In 2016, former public protector Thuli Madonsela released an explosive report on alleged improper and unethical conduct at some state organs.
The report looked into Eskom's lucrative contracts with Tegeta to supply coal to the state-owned entity.
The report also linked former Eskom CEO Brian Molefe and the controversial Gupta family, who owns Tegeta.
The summons issued on Monday names these officials.
Among the executives named are former CFO Anoj Singh and Matshela Koko, who served as acting chief executive.
Eskom's former head of legal Suzanne Daniels is also named.
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The list also includes the utility's former board chairperson Ben Ngubane, and former board members Chwayita Mabude and Mark Pamensky.
The name of former mineral resources minister Mosebenzi Zwane is also on the list.
“These 12 defendants acted in a concerted effort whose objective was the corrupt, alternatively irregular, diversion of resources from Eskom,” Mantshantsha adds.
“As a result of their actions in the acquisition of OCH during this period, Eskom suffered at least R3.8 billion in losses which it is legally obliged and morally burdened to recover, together with the interest thereon.”
