SCOPA to invite parties cited in Mr De Ruyter’s submission

26 April 2023

The Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) today resolved to invite parties that are mentioned in the former Eskom Group Chief Executive Officer, Mr André de Ruyter’s submission to the committee.

SCOPA engaged with Mr de Ruyter on the submission he made following a request from the committee to elaborate on his interview on eNCA regarding alleged corruption and malfeasance at Eskom.

The committee has indicated that it plans to invite the Minister of Public Enterprises, Mr Pravin Gordhan and the Board of Eskom. It also plans to invite the Advisor to President Cyril Ramaphosa, Dr Sydney Mufamadi, State Security Agency, Directorate for Priority Crimes Investigation (HAWKS), National Prosecuting Authority, Special Investigating Unit, and the South African Police Service.

The committee plans to meet these cited parties to get more information on the allegations made by Mr de Ruyter. Mr de Ruyter has told SCOPA to contact the HAWKS, Mr Gordhan and Dr Mufamadi for further details on the allegations that he made in the eNCA interview. He indicated that he reported the identity of a high-ranking politician as well as individuals he referred to in his interview as allegedly involved in criminal activities in Eskom to Mr Gordhan, Dr Mufamadi and the HAWKS.

The committee informed Mr de Ruyter that Parliament is able to offer him protection against any legal action through the Powers and Privileges provision, but he indicated that he does not want to jeopardize the ongoing investigation by law enforcement agencies into Eskom. The committee believes that Mr de Ruyter missed an opportunity to take the nation into his confidence on these matters.

The committee also plans to find out from law enforcement agencies what progress has been made in the cases that Mr de Ruyter says he reported in April last year. The committee will then proceed with the logical parliamentary processes after it has engaged with all these parties.

Issued by Faith Ndenze, Media Officer, Parliamentary Communication Services, 26 April 2023