Eskom suspends more execs over Trillian scandal – report

According to a report by EWN, Eskom has served suspension notices to three more decision makers at the parastatal in the wake of a scandal surrounding the Gupta-linked company Trillian.

CFO Anoj Singh was suspended last week over the same debacle. In his wake have followed executives Prish Govender, Charles Kalima and Edwin Mabelane, reportedly over their involvement in payments made to Trillian in a controversial contract with global consultancy firm McKinsey.

It emerged last week that Eskom deliberately ignored advice by its own legal team – at least four times in two years – not to go ahead with the controversial McKinsey contract, or pay Gupta-linked firm Trillian.

Eskom confirmed on Friday it had suspended Singh and former acting CEO Matshela Koko pending disciplinary hearings.

In a terse statement on Friday, the utility said Koko’s disciplinary hearing would commence within two weeks.

“Both messrs Singh and Koko will be afforded a fair disciplinary process,” Eskom said.

Singh was placed on special leave in July over his links to Gupta-linked firm Trillian. The Development Bank of South Africa (DBSA) had threatened to recall its R15 billion loan from the power utility if no action was taken against him.

Koko is facing disciplinary action over allegations of a conflict of interest. He has been accused of awarding contracts worth billions to Impulse International, where his stepdaughter was a shareholder and director, without following Eskom’s supply-chain management policy.