By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
The National Assembly on Tuesday approved the establishment of an ad hoc parliamentary committee under the portfolio committee on public enterprises to oversee Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa’s entity.
The African National Congress (ANC) in Parliament has done an about-turn on ensuring the Minister of Electricity is more accountable to the legislature.
ANC member of Parliament (MP) Richard Dyantyi said because the post is temporary, a different approach is necessary.
“The matter for the ANC of accountability and reporting lines had to be addressed in the context of the nature and the character of the appointment.”
The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Annelie Lotriet said while the party supports improved oversight, it doesn’t agree with it being to the Public Enterprises Portfolio.
“This is the single biggest problem facing our country and our future.”
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) also said it believes the Electricity Minister should report to a separate committee, arguing that Public Enterprises is overwhelmed with work.
Meanwhile the Special Investigating Unit (SIU) head Andy Mothibi briefed MPs on Parliament’s justice committee on the progress they’ve made into state capture investigations on Tuesday.
Mothibi said, they are studying an independent report into corruption at Eskom.
Former Eskom CEO Andre De Ruyter hired a forensic investigation group to probe corruption at the entity.
George Fivaz Forensic and Risk then compiled a damning report on criminal activity at Eskom, implicating top government officials.
Mothibi said the SIU and the Hawks are both going through the report with a fine-tooth comb.
“That report has got information that we definitely are looking at, so that we can pursue those indicators in that report and the Hawks is also hard at work to pursue the criminality that is pointed in that report.”
Eskom’s search for a new CEO has been dealt a blow after Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan rejected the board’s recommendation for Andre de Ruyter’s replacement.
The embattled power utility has been without a permanent CEO since De Ruyter left the position earlier than expected in February 2023 following an explosive interview with eNCA’s Annika Larsen, where he accused unnamed senior ANC politicians of corruption.
Eskom CFO Calib Cassim took over as interim CEO, but he will likely steer the ship for longer than expected.
Gordhan rejected the board’s sole recommendation for a new CEO on the grounds that three candidates had to be shortlisted – whereas the board only submitted one name.