Constitution watchdog calls for public protector probe into Eskom and Transnet

The Council for the Advancement of the South African Constitution (Casac) has requested Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane to investigate alleged corruption and poor corporate governance at the country’s two major parastatals, Eskom and Transnet.

Casac also wants Mkhwebane to look into the latest allegations of state capture by the Gupta family and the role of cabinet ministers and President Jacob Zuma’s family in the saga.

In a letter of complaint to the public protector’s officer at the weekend, Casac executive director Lawson Naidoo requested that the "botched"  reappointment of Brian Molefe as Eskom CE be investigated, along with the role of the Eskom board and that of Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown.

Naidoo also said reports that former Eskom acting CEO Matshela Koko channelled lucrative contracts to a company partly owned by his stepdaughter should be investigated. Furthermore, Mkhwebane should probe allegations that Koko had received inducements from the Guptas in exchange for business favours, he said.

"Despite umpteen damning allegations of flouted governance and procurement policies, and seeming corruption, no disciplinary steps have been taken against the individuals involved," Naidoo said.

He said damning allegations made by former mineral resources minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi that Zuma’s son Duduzane had tried to convince him to work with the Guptas should be investigated.

Regarding Transnet, Naidoo said he wanted the role of former public enterprises minister and current Finance Minister Malusi Gigaba in the appointment of Iqbal Sharma and Molefe to the Transnet board to be probed. Just as important was looking into reports that the Gupta family associates scored billions of rand in alleged kickbacks to help a Chinese firm win lucrative Transnet tenders.

Cleopatra Mosana, spokesperson in the office of the Public Protector promised to respond on Monday after checking receipt of the Casac complaint.