Eskom case against Guptas and former executives is a matter of ‘principle’
The R3.8 billion claim Eskom has made against former executives including Brian Molefe and Matshela Koko, as well as former minister Mosebenzi Zwane and the Gupta brothers is a matter of principle, CEO André de Ruyter said on Tuesday.
Last week the utility filed a 73-page summons at the High Court in Pretoria in which it spells out a case of a conspiracy to loot Eskom between the former executives, board members, Zwane and the Guptas and their associates in the purchase of Optimum Coal Mine in 2015.
Eskom states that it incurred losses of R3.8 billion because of this conspiracy, which it intends to recover from the 12 defendants listed in the papers.
Read: What Eskom wants from the ‘conspiracy’ to divert money for the Guptas
‘Strong case’
“We are working with, among others, the asset forfeiture unit, as well as our own legal advisors to prepare what is known as anti-dissipation orders and that tries to prevent people from spending ill-gotten gains before we can recover them,” said De Ruyter speaking to the Cape Town Press Club.
However, he said that while they want to preserve as much of the money as possible Eskom will probably not be able to reclaim the full R3.8 billion.
“I suspect a significant amount of money has already been spent,” said De Ruyter.
He said the utility could not afford to “sit back” and allow the alleged perpetrators to walk away without consequence.
“I think it’s also a matter of principle at stake here that we have to pursue and I am quite confident based on advice received from our lawyers that we have a strong case”
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