Johannesburg - Eskom is to haul its suspended former chief executive Matshela Koko before a disciplinary committee on alleged charges of corruption and nepotism.
The power utility said yesterday that it would charge Koko with conflict of interest following Eskom’s awarding of R1 billion worth of contracts to Impulse International while his stepdaughter Koketso Choma was a director and a 35 percent shareholder at the firm.
Koko initially said he was not aware of the contracts, but board chairperson Zethembe Khoza said that Eskom sought legal advice, which pointed out that there was a case to be answered.
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Khoza said the board had already informed Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown of its decision.
“In terms of the findings in the Koko matter, the investigation was based on the conflict of interest and also the judiciary responsibility as the head of the divisions because some of the contracts happened under his ruling.”
Ratified
Khoza said the audit committee had also ratified the charges.
“We received a report on June 23, the report did not explicitly indicate the charges that a person can be charged of, it was just an indication to outline the issues because they were taking place within the family,” Khoza said.
“The issues that we had to take into account were sub judice of the person holding that particular capacity within the organisation and also to look at how the conflict emanates to other departments.”
Koko was placed on leave following claims that he awarded the lucrative contract to Impulse International.
Koko was in charge of Eskom following Molefe’s abrupt departurelast year.
On Tuesday, Brown acknowledged the charges of maladministration and corruption made against Eskom and admitted that the allegations have tainted the image of the utility.