Minister of Public Enterprises, Lynne Brown, has renewed her call for a “comprehensive investigation to get to the bottom of allegations of corruption at state-owned companies (SOCs)”.
She has however vehemently denied allegations by a former Eskom chief that she was involved in state-capture for the power parastatal.
Testifying before an inquiry into Eskom at the Good Hope Chamber in Parliament, she said there was “overwhelming circumstantial evidence of malfeasance” at some SOCs and this included information contained in the former Public Protector’s State of Capture report, investigative reports commissioned by the Eskom Board, reports that she had requested in her capacity as shareholder representative, Treasury reports, annual financial results and leaked email correspondence.
“Let me be very clear: the best thing for the country, for the economy, for Eskom – and for me, personally – is a comprehensive investigation. “It was very heartening to read yesterday that the National Prosecuting Authority has established a crack investigative team,” said Brown.
She added that the Special Investigating Unit probe into Eskom, which Brown requested, was awaiting proclamation – and it appeared that the announcement of a commission of inquiry was imminent.
“It presently feels as if Eskom has been beaten to the ground and is being pinned down by the weight of untested allegations, while being kicked to death. It is said that the wheels of justice grind slowly. We desperately need to speed them up,” Brown said.
