OUTA: Treasury report a milestone in fight against state capture
National Treasury released a 600 page report on Friday detailing alleged irregularities at Transnet and Eskom over the past six years.
The report found former home affairs minister Malusi Gigaba compromised the procurement process of new Chinese locomotives.
Former Eskom executives also face possible criminal charges over the power utility’s deal for coal with Gupta-owned Tegeta.
The report found senior officials at the power utility lied to parliament and may have received bribes.
The report recommended that Eskom executives Anoj Singh, Matshela Koko, Suzanne Daniels, Ayanda Nteta and Edwin Mabelane should be investigated by the hawks for receiving bribes in helping the Gupta family receive a R659-million payment to purchase Optimum coal mine.
The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (Outa) has welcomed the release of the report and is adamant that this confirms treasury’s commitment to rooting out corruption at state owned companies.
“The release of this report and the report itself, confirm national treasury’s commitment to rooting out corruption within our SOE’S. This steps will serve the country well in the long run and displays Governement’s willingness to undo state capture that was prevalent in the previous administrations” says Outa’s Wanye Duvenage.
Duvenage added that it won’t be easy for the National Posecuting Authority (NPA) or the Hawks to ignore the recommendations.
“It’s hard for the NPA to look away, it’s hard for the Hawks not to take action, and it’s easier for them when civil society moment does something they don’t really have to answer to us. But now in parliament questions to these recommendations start being put to the ministers and they got to now make sure action is taking place.”
Duvenhage says the Hawks and the NPA must make sure justice is served in rotting out corruption.
“The Hawks and the NPA must ensure that South Africans get the justice we need for the economic mess created by these corrupt officials.