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Former Eskom acting CEO reveals corrupt practices

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Former Eskom acting CEO and Group Executive for Generations, Matshela Koko, revealed how certain Eskom executives have allegedly been receiving kickbacks from suppliers doing business with Eskom.

Koko was testifying in the parliamentary inquiry into allegations of state capture at the power utility. He also told the inquiry that he was suspended as Group Executive of Generations in March 2015 because he refused to carry out an unlawful instruction from former board chairperson, Zola Tsotsi.

Koko says at the time of his suspension, the board under Tsotsi claimed that he wanted to sabotage the county due to the load shedding crisis but he says this was the real reason.

“I was suspended because I refused to take unlawful instructions from chairman at the time, Mr Zola Tsotsi, because he had committed Eskom to pay Sumitomo R69 million which we clearly knew he is not an executive chairman. He is a non executive chairman and has no role in committing Eskom to a supplier without order to the tune of R69 million. Mr Matona called me a week before the suspension, he said to me Mr Koko we are in trouble because you have suspended Mr Zola Tsotsi’s man – Mr Malesela Sekasembe, and I had clear instructions from Mr Tsotsi to unsuspend or both of us will be suspended.”

On allegations of kickbacks, Koko told the committee that two officials are now facing criminal charges and one of them has resigned. He says suppliers had provided bank accounts to prove how they were paying some Eskom executives.

“Chair I do confirm to you now that both executives – one has resigned and one is on suspension with the Prima facie case against them, with the police investigating it. Frans Hlakudi has resigned. Mr Abraham Masango is currently on suspension.”

When he was questioned by evidence leader, Nthuthuzelo Vanara, at the beginning, Koko said he took responsibility for the downloading of phonographic material using an Eskom 3G card although it was not him. He claimed that he has lost the card. He faced suspension at the time when Brian Dammes was still at the helm of Eskom.

“I traveled with a colleague of mine. I lost the 3G cards which was later found to have visited pornographic site. Now, I did not fight hard because it was my card that I was suppose to keep safe and I conceded to that,” said Koko while being quizzed by Vanara about disciplinary actions that were taken against him after the 3G card saga surfaced.

The inquiry is still in session with Koko testifying.

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