Cape Town - Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown and Deputy Minister Ben Martins – as well as Eskom board members, suspended executive Matshela Koko and former chief executive Brian Molefe – will be called to appear before Parliament’s inquiry into state capture at Eskom.
Next week has been set aside for those accused of state capture, a Parliamentary source speaking on condition of anonymity told Fin24. He said the above individuals – which would likely include acting Eskom board chairperson Zethembe Khoza – are expected to appear.
Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe told Fin24 on Wednesday that he could not confirm the news.
“However, the portfolio committee has indicated that they would ask Eskom leadership to give evidence soon,” he said.
“The committee says it can't disclose the names of witnesses for security reasons.”
Martins said in a statement on Tuesday that the inquiry had been unfair to those accused of state capture.
He was accused of being at a meeting with the controversial Gupta family, where they allegedly surprised suspended Eskom head of legal Suzanne Daniels with a request to delay proceedings against Molefe.
Brown said in a separate statement on Tuesday that the inquiry should give an opportunity to those accused to state their positions at the inquiry.
“Unless the Parliamentary inquiry into allegations of malfeasance at state-owned companies gives those who have been accused of wrongdoing the opportunity to explain their actions it will serve no higher function than advancing political agendas and further undermining the economy,” she said.
Brown, who was accused by Eskom board spokesperson Khulani Qoma of being capture by the Guptas and lying about her knowledge of Trillian, pledged to act.
“If truth be told, Eskom officials intentionally misled me on the Trillian matter and the acting chairperson has assured me that those responsible will be charged by the company,” Brown said.
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