Eskom is rooting out fraud and corruption within its ranks and supply chain through proactively implementing recommendations made by the Zondo commission and beyond.
We are redressing the effects of state capture and, to this effect, we established the State Capture Task Team on 14 July last year.
The organisation reaffirmed its cooperation with the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) in May last year to ensure the most effective coordinated responses to state capture cases and other serious crimes related to Eskom’s operations.
A public declaration of this commitment was made by Eskom and the NPA in a joint media statement on 5 May 2022. We are also working closely with the Special Investigative Unit (SIU) and are providing regular progress updates to the standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) in parliament, with the most recent update jointly presented to Scopa on 24 January.
Our close collaboration with the law enforcement agencies is instrumental in addressing the Zondo commission’s recommendations. Key among the recommendations is that the NPA undertake the criminal prosecution of former Eskom board members and executives involved in decision making that resulted in the breach of the Public Finance Management Ac, among other violations.
The Zondo report was unequivocal in singling out former Eskom executives among those who must be pursued for their alleged involvement in nefarious activities at the company. Among the several findings of malfeasance by the executives is the irregular supply of coal to Eskom from Tegeta’s Brakfontein Colliery, where the commission recommended that the NPA consider criminal action against the executives and a range of other implicated individuals from both within and outside the organisation.
Recouping billions
One of the success stories to date includes the matter relating to the unlawful payment of R1.6-billion to McKinsey, Trillian and Regiments. Eskom has since recovered R1.1-billion from McKinsey and has a judgment against Trillian. Trillian has been placed in liquidation after the firm failed to abide by the court judgment, and this has resulted in the sequestration of Trillian’s key shareholder and director.
Through a collaborative partnership with the SIU, Eskom has recouped more than R2-billion in funds unlawfully paid out to service providers. Together, a recovery of about R1-billion from SAP is under way.
On civil recoveries, jointly with the SIU, Eskom is pursuing R3.8-billion through civil action against 12 defendants who played a central role in state capture. Seven of the 12 defendants are former Eskom executives and directors.
Eskom’s State Capture Task Team is executing its implementation plan to address the findings in the Zondo report. Steps already taken include disciplinary action against delinquent employees, the flagging of delinquent employees for future employment, disciplinary action against delinquent suppliers, deregistration of delinquent suppliers from Eskom’s supplier database, blacklisting of delinquent suppliers by national treasury, taking action against delinquent directors, instituting civil recovery processes and criminal proceedings, reporting of delinquent employees to professional bodies, and reviewing of Eskom-specific policies, procedures and governance requirements.
On consequence management, there are currently no Eskom employees implicated in state capture as key employees involved in this form of corrupt activity were dismissed or resigned in early 2018.
On criminal proceedings, despite the arrest on 27 October 2022 of a former interim group CEO and 25 others accused of fraud and corruption at Eskom in relation to the Kusile contract, criminal proceedings continue to lag. We are therefore closely monitoring all outstanding criminal matters and are working with the SIU, NPA and other law enforcement agencies to bring these to court as soon as possible.
On director delinquency proceedings, Eskom is party to the department of public enterprises’ coordination of all SOE proceedings under the Companies Act and has such provided detailed evidentiary packs for all directors on the 2014 Eskom board to government. Further, Eskom has reported a former delinquent director to the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants, which has resulted in suspension of their membership.
On supplier disciplinary processes, Eskom has placed a provisional block on new contracts with all implicated suppliers pending supplier disciplinary processes being initiated in due course. Eskom’s supplier disciplinary process is also under review to allow for a more agile approach towards supplier discipline.
Finally, in line with the Zondo commission’s recommendation for a review of key internal policies, Eskom is implementing various initiatives such as an automated procurement system to better manage procurement spend and protect against integrity breaches; the use of tools such as PriceCheck in supply-chain management; the digitisation of stock control; the use of an augmented procurement model in certain business areas; and the use of e-auctions. The organisation will continue to monitor technology developments and will introduce suitable tools as they become available.
We are strengthening our whistle-blower support for the Eskom guardians who help us see what is cloaked
Over and above the Zondo commission’s recommendations, we receive reports from our assurance and forensic department and the external auditors, which guide us on where we need to focus. There are also various whistle-blowing channels available to Eskom employees and the public, assisting us in unearthing fraud and corruption.
Audited figures as at the end of quarter three show that 144 criminal cases have been opened with the South African Police Service for further investigation. Of the 144 cases, 41 have been through the criminal proceedings provided for under the Criminal Procedure Act.
During this period, owing to the governance clean-up efforts, 183 employees terminated their employment through resignation, abscondment (157) and retirement (26) during the disciplinary processes. In total, 42 were dismissed due to fraud and corruption.
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Eskom will continue working closely with the department of public enterprises, other SOEs and law enforcement agencies to ensure that we either directly address the recommendations, or where recommendations, such as criminal prosecutions, are not within our control, to support law enforcement agencies in bringing delinquent suppliers, former employers, former executives, former board members and associated perpetrators to book. We are also strengthening our whistle-blower support for the Eskom guardians who help us see what is cloaked.
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Eskom is resolute in pursuing those who have enriched themselves at the expense of our organisation and South Africa. We are ensuring that we have a robust framework in place for zero tolerance to fraud and corruption. This is a non-negotiable for the board and executive team in order to rebuild trust and restore public confidence. We continue to proactively strengthen the internal controls and through serious interventions turn the culture around. We also do not believe that the majority of Eskom employees are corrupt. However, we need to continuously work on flushing out the minority that casts a shadow on the organisation.
- The author, Mpho Makwana, is chairman of the Eskom board
