R149m Eskom contract: Zuma adviser kept mum on business interests
22 June 2017
Cape Town – President Jacob Zuma admitted in a Parliamentary response that his special adviser Silas Zimu only declared his non-executive directorship of Cape Gate Parepha after the company won a R149m contract from Eskom.
Democratic Alliance spokesperson on public enterprises Natasha Mazzone asked Zuma whether his special adviser declared his business interests before the company was awarded a contract to supply Eskom with wiring.
“The non-executive directorship was not declared before the specified company was awarded a R149m-contract to supply Eskom with wiring,” Zuma responded. “The delegated executive authority is in engagement with the special adviser with regards to the declarations of interest,” Zuma said.
The Sunday Times in May reported that the company, of which Zimu was a non-executive director, won the contract seven months after his appointment as Zuma’s adviser. Zimu has been a non-executive director at Cape Gate Parepha since 2006.