Standing Committee on Public Accounts – 21 June 2023

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) will this week visit Tutuka power station and Eskom Megawatt. The committee will also have engagements with the Eskom Board, National Treasury.

The former Eskom Group Chief Executive (GCEO), Mr Andre de Ruyter appeared before the committee on allegations of corruption, theft, maladministration, sabotage, and lack of consequence management at Eskom. Some of these allegations are new to the committee, others were previously revealed during prior engagements and oversight visits to Eskom, and at the Zondo Commission’s State Capture Inquiry.

Of particular concern regarding the allegations made in the interview is the decision-making by the national power utility’s former board members and executives that resulted in the breach of the Public Finance Management Act, which sets the prescripts for effective financial management and use of public funds. In performing its parliamentary oversight work, the committee is committed to getting to the bottom of the allegations made by the former Eskom GCEO and holding all those responsible to account.

The committee is of the view that a site visit to Eskom will give more insight into why the problems persist, thereby placing SCOPA in a better position to make appropriate recommendations on how these problems can be addressed. The committee further believes that interaction with the Eskom Board and Management is crucial if any improvement is to be seen in those areas that the Auditor-General has raised concerns on.