Former Eskom CFO Anoj Singh a

Eskom former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Anoj Singh
Image sourced via Twitter

Former Eskom CFO Anoj Singh a no-show at Zondo Commission

Eskom former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Anoj Singh, considered a critical figure in the Guptas’ capturing of entities, has been given until Monday, 18 January 2021, to submit a comprehensive affidavit

Former Eskom CFO Anoj Singh a

Eskom former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Anoj Singh
Image sourced via Twitter

Eskom former Chief Financial Officer (CFO) Anoj Singh has failed to appear before the State Capture Commission as planned.

Singh was set to take the stand on Wednesday, January 13, 2021, and answer to allegations that he played a key role in helping the Gupta family unduly benefit from lucrative contracts at Eskom.

Singh’s legal representative Advocate Anneline Van Den Heever said he needed more time to file a comprehensive affidavit.

“Our client is not in a position to give evidence today for the reasons set out herein he was also not in a position to file his affidavit as per the directive because of the reasons set out herein,” Van Den Heever said.

Zondo, who has given Singh until close of business on Monday, 18 January 2021, to submit a comprehensive affidavit, has postponed the hearing to a later date.

Singh was Eskom’s CFO from 2015 to 2016. In 2020, the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA) stripped him of his CA status after finding him to have been grossly negligent and dishonest. This was in relation to Transnet’s pricey locomotive deal and large contracts awarded by Eskom.

His testimony would be focusing on  Eskom contracts awarded to McKinsey and Trillian, and transactions relating to Tegeta Exploration & Resources.

Eskom at State Capture: Zondo ‘not convinced’ by Singh’s explanation

Van Den Heever said her client had good reasons for the delay, including a change in the legal teams. However an irate Zondo was not having it.

“I’ve read Mr Singh says here and I’m not convinced he gives an acceptable reason for not complying with the directives,” Zondo said.

Van Den Heever emphasised to Zondo that they had long communicated the status of their case with the commission.

“He wants to play ball with the commission, if I can refer to it colloquially…We want to assist the commission and the client verily believed, as he set out here that the best way to assist the commission is to give the commission a comprehensive version,”

Advocate Anneline Van Den Heever