The Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan has spoken about how even though Eskom is putting in efforts to fight crime at the utility, more needs to be done to remove criminal activity at the state-owned enterprise.
Gordhan told Parliament recently that the situation at Eskom has improved. Talking about the interventions that they have started implementing, Gordhan said the following:
- Governance has improved.
- More people have been “thrown out” of Eskom that were responsible for the malfeasance that took place.
- Recommendations of the Zondo Commission are being implemented.
- Money is being recovered from firms like ABB and others who engaged in malfeasance.
- People charged by the NPA have trials that should come up shortly.
- However, “there’s no doubt that that activity is continuing on one scale or another”, said Gordhan.
The Minister also revealed how far more intensive actions and attention have to be given both within Eskom itself and by Eskom itself where it is within their strength and abilities to undertake preventative action. He also reiterated the importance of law enforcement authorities to do their part in ridding Eskom of crime.
Fannie Masemola, the National Police Commissioner launched Operation Shanela recently, and it is meant to tackle organised crime across the country and, in particular, “break the spines of the Eskom syndicates”.
So far, Operation Shanela has reportedly arrested over 20,000 people since 8 May for various crimes.
The Minister of Electricity Kgosientsho Ramokgopa also mentioned that crime, corruption, and sabotage are a big part of the problem at Eskom and that organised crime syndicates with links to the notorious KwaZulu-Natal construction mafia had infiltrated Eskom’s procurement department.
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