Eskom: SIU now seizes Eskom boss’s R11 million bank fund

The Special Investigating Unit (SIU) has successfully instituted civil proceedings in the Special Tribunal to freeze funds to the tune of R11 million held in a bank account linked to Eskom senior manager. 

SIU spokesperson Kaizer Kganyago said the Special Tribunal had granted the SIU an interim order to seize the funds pending the argument and determination for final forfeiture. 

He said the SIU had approached the Special Tribunal to freeze the funds after it received allegations from a whistle-blower that Petrus Mazibuko, Eskom senior manager for coal operations at Eskom was receiving unauthorised gratification from two Eskom suppliers namely Commodity Logistix Managers Africa (Fourth Respondent) and Thembathlo Pty Ltd (Seventh Respondent) through a bank account held by Thephunokhetja Projects (Third Respondent). 

“The SIU investigated the allegations. As part of the investigation, the SIU obtained the bank statements as well as the account opening documents from the First National Bank. The documents show that Petrus Mazibuko and Shadrack Mazibuko, who is cited as the second respondent, are the signatories to thebank account. Furthermore, the bank statements show that the only source of income into this account is from the two Eskom suppliers,” he said.

“The SIU investigation uncovered no evidence that could point to a proposition that Thephunokhetja Projects rendered services or was legally entitled to claim for goods or services rendered to either Commodity Logistix Managers Africa and Thembathlo Pty Ltd. Furthermore. There was no evidence or explanation that the funds held in Thephunokhetja Projects bank account were anything other than ‘unauthorised gratification’,” he said.

The order prohibits Petrus and Shadrack Mazibuko from dealing with the funds held in the bank account. 

“The SIU investigation also revealed that Petrus Mazibuko has not obtained any written authority to do work outside of his Eskom employment, or to receive any remuneration in addition to his Eskom salary. This is a violation of Eskom’s conflict of interest policy requiring all employees to annually disclose their interests. This evidence as required by SIU Act, was referred to Eskom to suspend Mazibuko pending the finalisation of investigation,” he said.

In 2018 the SIU was directed in terms of Proclamation R11 of 2018, to investigate the procurement of or contracting for services by Eskom and payments that were made. The proclamation allows the SIU to investigate allegations of corruption and maladministration in the affairs of Eskom in which the power utility company suffered financial losses that can be recovered. 

“The SIU investigation in the affairs of Eskom are continuing. Where criminal conduct is uncovered during investigations, the SIU will bring the matter to the attention of Hawks in the South African Police Service (SAPS), as well as the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) for further action,” he said.