We only billed Eskom for the work we did: Gupta-owned Trillian

Atul Gupta and Duduzane Zuma.

Atul Gupta and Duduzane Zuma.

Published Jul 21, 2017

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Johannesburg - South African advisory

firm Trillian on Friday denied it was paid for work it did not

do for state-power company Eskom, saying that it provided

various support functions.

The firm, which is being investigated over allegations of

corruption, is owned by the Gupta brothers, businessmen with

close ties to South African President Jacob Zuma including

having previously employed his son, Duduzane.

The brothers have been accused by members of the ruling

African National Congress (ANC) of using their political

connections to win government contracts. They, and Zuma, have

denied any wrongdoing.

A June 29 investigation carried out by attorney Geoff

Budlender, which was commissioned by Trillian Chairman Tokyo

Sexwale, found that Trillian had been paid 495 million rand

($39 million) by Eskom despite carrying out no work.

Trillian denied the findings and said it was paid for

providing technical expertise as well as back office support.

"Trillian maintains that work was conducted for the invoices

raised," the company said in a statement. "Trillian therefore

wishes to reiterate that it has only billed for work that it had

completed and was entitled to."

Eskom and global consultancy McKinsey have opened separate

investigations after both companies denied having a contract

with Trillian despite working with the firm.

Eskom, which previously said it never paid Trillian, said

this week it did pay the firm but as a sub-contractor of

McKinsey and at the consultancy's request.

McKinsey says it never had a contractual relationship with

Trillian although it did work alongside the firm. McKinsey says

a letter written by one of its partners to Eskom asking it to

pay Trillian as a subcontractor was inaccurate.

Eskom has paid McKinsey 900 million rand ($70 million) for

consultancy work but both parties have suspended their

relationship.

McKinsey is one of several companies to be dragged into a

scandal in South Africa involving government contracts granted

to companies controlled by members of the Gupta family.

Members of the ANC have called for Zuma to stand down over

the allegations and a judicial inquiry to be opened. 

Reuters

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