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Malegapuru Makgoba, Eskom’s former Acting Chairperson, says that President Cyril Ramaphosa and Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan were aware of the controversial investigation into corruption at Eskom launched by former Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter.
De Ruyter made waves earlier this year when he claimed that high-level politicians from the ANC were aware of and involved in corruption at the embattled power utility. The allegations were rooted in several “intelligence reports” from a privately funded investigation by George Fivaz Forensic & Risk.
South Africa’s security bodies, including the SAPS, the Hawks, and the Special Investigating Unit, said they were unaware of the unvetted investigations. However, Makgoba noted that senior government officials were informed about the investigation by de Ruyter and even received updates.
In February 2023, Ramaphosa said that “intelligence-driven operations” led to the 43 arrests, with Makgoba believing that the Fivaz probe was likely the investigation that the president was referring to. Makgoba said that Gordhan was aware of the investigation and may have tacitly greenlit it, having requested that de Ruyter launch an inquiry into Eskom as it was “besieged” at the time. He said it is up to group chief executives to manage operational issues and, when there is pertinent data or information, to take this to the board.
When de Ruyter appeared before Scopa, he was regularly questioned over the identity of a senior minister and another high-ranking politician who he alleged were aware of the entrenched corruption at Eskom. Gordhan is scheduled to speak before Scopa in the coming weeks after he returns from a trip to China to address an issue with one of Transnet’s suppliers. Dr Mufamadi is also scheduled to appear before Scopa over the probe.
