Eskom suspends security boss amid R500m tender probe
Eskom has suspended its head of security Karen Pillay following allegations of irregularities involving a security tender.
City Press reported that Pillay is suspended pending an investigation into her role in awarding an eye-watering R500 million emergency security contract to the Fidelity Services Group over a three-month period without any bidding process.
Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena confirmed the suspension but denied the claims about the tender.
"Eskom has been once again being misquoted by City Press, i.e. on reasons why Adv. Pillay is being placed on a precautionary suspension. However, Eskom confirms that Pillay is placed on a precautionary suspension to allow space for the investigation on allegations levelled against her to continue unhindered."
"No further comments will be provided on this matter until the investigation is finalised," Mokwena said
According to the City Press, Pillay and former ex-Eskom COO Jan Oberholzer awarded the contract to Fidelity on an emergency basis without offering any other security company the opportunity to bid.
Meanwhile The Association of Private Security Owners of South Africa (Tapsosa) says former Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter was at the centre of that controversial decision.
Spokesperson Sindiswa Changuion says more heads should roll for wasteful expenditure.
"While we as Tapsosa are pleased with the suspension of Karen Pillay, we believe that more heads ought to roll in relation to the wasteful expenditure of taxpayers money. Other senior officials who signed off on this tender, must also face the music.
"Former CEO De Ruyter must be brought back into the country to account for his involvement in the saga as well."
The Association has also called for probe into former Eskom board member Busisiwe Mavuso.
"The decision to hand a multi-million-rand deal to Fidelity on a silver platter, was informed by a dodgy Intelligence Report – sanctioned and funded by various organisations including Business Leadership South Africa – whose CEO is Busisiwe Mavuso."
"We also call for Mavuso to be investigated for her involvement in helping fund an intelligence gathering institute which seem to have fabricated the findings to justify the awarding of an emergency security contract." she added
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