BusinessLive reports that embattled Eskom executive Matshela Koko, who escaped dismissal through a sham disciplinary process, broke the strict conditions of his suspension by regularly contacting Eskom employees.
Koko is due to appear before Parliament’s portfolio committee inquiry into corruption and state capture at Eskom on Wednesday, where he is expected to protest his innocence. Business Day came into possession of phone records that show that Koko was in touch with at least five other Eskom employees in the weeks immediately after his suspension on 2 August 2017, despite his suspension letter making it clear that contacting Eskom employees could "interfere with or jeopardise" his disciplinary hearing. His suspension notice expressly prohibited any contact with Eskom staff or suppliers. Koko was suspended after his division awarded his step-daughter’s company contracts worth R640m, but was cleared of all wrongdoing at a disciplinary hearing. The hearing was marred by allegations that it had been rigged in his favour. Asked this week to comment on the evidence that Koko had violated his suspension conditions, Eskom said that it needed more time to investigate. But, these disclosures are likely to add to mounting pressure for Eskom to act against Koko as the new board embarks on a process to rescue the power utility and restore governance.
- Read this detailed report by Kyle Cowan and Stephan Hofstatter in full at BusinessLive
Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page