ANC slams De Ruyter for ‘failing to take the nation into confidence’ on Eskom matters

The African National Congress (ANC) has slammed former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter for again refusing to name the politicians who are allegedly involved in Eskom corruption.

The ruling party was also not impressed with news of a private intelligence investigation that was carried out to look into corruption and theft at Eskom.

De Ruyter appeared before Parliament’s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) on Wednesday and refused to name the politicians due to “security risks” as this may compromise ongoing law enforcement investigations.

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“There is already a highly litigious environment that has arisen around Eskom and my tenure as chief executive. I would be loath to expose myself to any further legal action,” he said on Wednesday.

The ANC, however, slammed him for “ducking and diving only once again to fail to take the nation into confidence”.

Private investigation at Eskom

The ruling party said it was also concerned about reports that De Ruyter solicited funds from unknown sources for a private investigation.

De Ruyter confirmed on Wednesday that no state funds were used for the R50 million investigation.

“This investigation was funded by private donors and they were also the contracting parties,” he told the committee.

“Eskom was not a party to any of the agreements… no public funds were involved so I suggest that the identity of those donors should remain within their purview. Again, I would not wish to interfere in any ongoing legal or criminal investigation.”

WATCH: Did De Ruyter fund ‘private investigation’ into corruption at Eskom?

However, the ruling party said it was “curious why a chief executive officer of a state-owned enterprise would go out of their way to affirm reports which are not grounded in an iota of evidence.”

“The ANC will not be distracted by underhand tactics aimed at diverting us from a determined drive to renew our organisation and encourage South Africans to continue voting for their movement in favour of safeguarding the drive towards a national democratic society,” it said.

‘We are not satisfied’

Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) MP Veronica Mente said Wednesday’s session with De Ruyter was not “beneficial” as no new information was shared.

“Today’s session did not bring much help and didn’t meet our expectations. De Ruyter willingly approached the public platform through the media and spoke of all the ills and corrupt activities within the Eskom space, which was at some point sanctioned by senior members of the governing party, citing that ministers have been issuing instructions that allow certain people to eat,” she told Newzroom Afrika.

ALSO READ: ‘Too many cooks in the kitchen’: De Ruyter says he resigned due to Gordhan, new Eskom board

“But today he did not want give us names, citing that those names have been forwarded to the law enforcement. We were not satisfied with what he has given us and we will deal with this matter and get a deeper understanding and investigate it further as parliament.”

Additional reporting by Molefe Seeletsa