The National Prosecuting Authority says engagements with Gutpa-linked consultancy firm McKinsey were positive.
The NPA and the firm’s lawyers have met to discuss an out of court settlement after being served with a preservation order to freeze assets worth R1.6 billion for deals it had with Eskom. The NPA claims the global consultancy firm colluded with Eskom officials in the alleged R1.6 billion theft.
Mckinsey has agreed to pay over R1 billion and that Trillian, another Gupta-linked company also served with a preservation order should pay R600 million.
The NPA’s Luvuyo Mfaku says, “The engagements were in good faith and very progressive, but we still need to respect due processes. We’re not prepared at this stage to divulge more in terms of what transpired in that meeting. McKinsey legal representative … they came forward and said they want to engage. We don’t want to be involved in a protracted litigation. We need to give them credit for that. The engagements are ongoing. We are not prepared to divulge more.”
Trillian, which was expected to be part of the meeting, did not show up. The company, however, still has 90 days to respond to the prosecuting authority.
“They’ve got 90 days; they have to respect that, within that ninety days they have to indicate whether they are defending the matter or not. If they do not enter an appearance to defend within ninety day period we will apply for a forfeiture order. ”
The NPA says it doesn’t expect the talks to be lengthy, and will give a broader update on the matter once a settlement has been met.
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