Die ondersoek na Eskom se probleme gaan gedoen word deur ‘n regsfirma wat Eskom self aangestel het, en Eskom gaan boonop self die oorsigrol speel in die peperduur ondersoek waarvoor R22 miljoen bewillig is, sê adv. Anton Alberts, die VF Plus se parlementêre woordvoerdoer oor energie.
Dit blyk uit antwoorde wat adv. Alberts gekry het op geskrewe vrae aan die minister van openbare ondernemings.
Volgens die minister se antwoord is die regsfirma Dentons aangestel vir die werk aangesien hy oor ‘al die nodige kundigheid’ beskik om ‘n ondersoek van dié aard en omvang te doen. Die R22 miljoen sal deur Eskom self betaal word.
Volgens adv. Alberts is dit vreemd dat ‘n prokureursfirma aangestel word om dié tipe ondersoek te doen.
“Logika bepaal tog dat die ondersoek sal gaan oor presies wat by Eskom fout gegaan het. Swak beplanning, verwaarlosing van infrastruktuur, ‘n agterstand in instandhoudingswerk en swak finansiële bestuur.
“Mense soos toepaslike ingenieurs en finansiële deskundiges is sekerlik die aangewese persone om so ‘n soort ondersoek te doen. Die VF Plus gaan daarom die Prokureursorde van Suid-Afrika vra of ‘n regsfirma wel so ‘n mandaat kan uitvoer.
“Daarbenewens word voorsien dat die ondersoek drie maande gaan duur wat beteken dat ‘n bedrag van R22 miljoen buitensporig groot is.
“Nog ‘n kwelpunt is dat Eskom self gaan waghond speel oor die ondersoek na sy eie probleme. Dit maak nie sin nie.
“Die VF Plus dring steeds daarop aan dat die ondersoek totaal onafhanklik moet wees en deur iemand soos die Openbare Beskermer (OB) gedoen moet word wat direk aan die parlement verslag doen en nie aan Eskom nie.
“Die VF Plus het geen vertroue in die ondersoek nie en glo dit word bloot gedoen om die publiek ‘n rat voor die oë te draai,” sê adv. Alberts.
Kontaknommers: 082 391 3117 / 083 419 5403
DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY
QUESTION No: 1070
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 20 March 2015
RESPONSE TO PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NUMBER: 1070
Adv A de W Alberts (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:
(1) Why no external, independent investigative team has been appointed that is able to
investigate the problems concerning Eskom impartially and without fear and report to her and to Parliament;
(2) (a) why the attorney who has been appointed to investigate the problems currently
experienced by Eskom has to give feeback to the subcommitte of the Board of Directors that is led by a certain official from Eskom (Mr Zola Tsotsi), (b) how the attorney who has to undertake the investigation was selected and (c) what (i) are the qualifications of the relevant attorney that qualify him or her to undertake the investigation, (ii) are the costs relating to the investigation and (iii) the task of the attorney will comprise;
(3) what measures are in place to ensure that the investigation is conducted
independently and impartially? NW1231E
REPLY:
An independent law firm, Dentons, has been appointed to conduct the inquiry.
(a) Feedback has to be given to the Audit and Risk Committee, as it was delegated by the Board to act as custodian of the inquiry.
(2) (b) The law firm was selected in accordance with Eskom’s procurement processes.
(2) (c) (i) The law firm is a multi disciplinary firm with a broad skills base.
(2) (c) (ii) The costs have been capped at R22 million.
(2) (c) (iii) The task is to conduct an investigation and make findings/recommendations to Eskom.
The attorneys have not done any work for Eskom previously and do not have a prior existing relationship with Eskom.
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