Eskom hearing into Koko delayed again

Suspended CEO’s charges relate to forensic probe

The disciplinary hearing of suspended acting Eskom chief executive Matshela Koko will only continue tomorrow afternoon.

The hearing that has been beset with delays got off to a bumpy start yesterday when it emerged that the newly appointed chairman Mzungulu Mthombeni had not yet received his official letter of appointment authorising him to preside over proceedings.

Eskom spokesman Khulu Pasiwe confirmed yesterday afternoon that due to conflicts in the schedules of Mthombeni and Koko’s legal representatives‚ the matter would be heard outside of business hours to accommodate all parties.

Koko is facing charges relating to his failure to declare a conflict of interest when he awarded contracts worth just over R1-billion to a company of which his stepdaughter was a shareholder‚ among others.

The shenanigans came to light after an exposé by the Sunday Times.

He will also face charges relating to undermining his colleagues and irregularly removing some from their positions.

The charges emanate from a forensic probe that was instituted after a whistleblower report.

Charges relating to his role in the R1.6billion paid to global consultancy McKinsey and local financial advisory firm Trillian Capital Partners are yet to be finalised.

Koko’s legal representative Frans Barrie SC yesterday expressed his and his client’s dissatisfaction with another delay in finalising the matter.

The only business concluded yesterday was an application by Tiso Blackstar (formerly Times Media Group) to be allowed to attend the inquiry and report on the developments.

Neither Koko nor his legal representatives raised any objections to the presence of the media.

The state power utility‚ represented by evidence leader Sebetja Matsaung‚ also raised no objections but asked for the media to refrain from sensationalising any aspect of the evidence against Koko.