On Wednesday, Eskom CEO André de Ruyter appeared before the Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) to face heated questions about his knowledge of a minister allegedly at the centre of looting at the flailing power utility.
De Ruyter stands firm in refusing to ‘name and shame’ mystery minister
De Ruyter’s appearance before the committee comes on the heels of a controversial interview he gave to eTV‘s Anika Larsen, in which he accused the ruling African National Congress (ANC) party of corruption and a particular Cabinet minister of unduly benefitting from the crisis at Eskom.
During his appearance before SCOPA, De Ruyter was expected to elaborate on the corruption issues at Eskom.
However, the proceedings were, at the time this article was published, scuppered by the underfire CEO’s refusal to provide clear and direct responses to heated questions from SCOPA Chair Mkhuleko Hlengwa and ANC MP Bheki Hadebe.
Despite this, De Ruyter did make several assertions about the presence of a corrupt minister with a great amount of influence over the state-owned enterprise.
He submitted information to the committee in “good faith” but was constrained in providing more information pertaining to the allegations since he has left Eskom, and those details are with Eskom and law enforcement.
De Ruyter also said he cannot divulge the identities of some sources, but the Hawks are aware of who they are.
Hlengwa, seemingly flustered, directly asked if the minister in question was, in fact, Pravin Gordhan?
However, the former Eskom CEO refused to divulge the identity of the minister implicated in the allegations.
De Ruyter said it is “not in the interests of the oversight role of SCOPA… that I disclose this today. I don’t think that is a critical element that is not important.”
De Ruyter was still facing gruelling questions at the SCOPA meeting when this article was published. You can tune in below: