DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC ENTERPRISES
REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA
NATIONAL ASSEMBLY
QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION No: 1070
DATE OF PUBLICATION: 20 March 2015

RESPONSE TO PARLIAMENTARY QUESTION NUMBER: 1070

Adv A de W Alberts (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:

(1) Why no external, independent investigative team has been appointed that is able to investigate the problems concerning Eskom impartially and without fear and report to her and to Parliament;

(2) (a) why the attorney who has been appointed to investigate the problems currently experienced by Eskom has to give feeback to the subcommitte of the Board of Directors that is led by a certain official from Eskom (Mr Zola Tsotsi), (b) how the attorney who has to undertake the investigation was selected and (c) what (i) are the qualifications of the relevant attorney that qualify him or her to undertake the investigation, (ii) are the costs relating to the investigation and (iii) the task of the attorney will comprise;

(3) what measures are in place to ensure that the investigation is conducted independently and impartially?    NW1231E

REPLY:

(1) An independent law firm, Dentons, has been appointed to conduct the inquiry.

(2)(a) Feedback has to be given to the Audit and Risk Committee, as it was delegated by the Board to act as custodian of the inquiry.

(2)(b) The law firm was selected in accordance with Eskom’s procurement processes.

(2)(c)(i) The law firm is a multi disciplinary firm with a broad skills base.

(2)(c)(ii) The costs have been capped at R22 million.

(2)(c)(iii) The task is to conduct an investigation and make findings/recommendations to Eskom.

(3) The attorneys have not done any work for Eskom previously and do not have a prior existing relationship with Eskom.

DEPARTMENT: PUBLIC ENTERPRISES

REPUBLIC OF SOUTH AFRICA

NATIONAL ASSEMBLY

QUESTION FOR WRITTEN REPLY

QUESTION NO: 1704

DATE OF PUBLICATION: 8 MAY 2015

1704. Adv A de W Alberts (FF Plus) to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises:

(1) What process was followed in (a) identifying and (b) appointing Dentons to audit Eskom;

(2) why is this company regarded as competent to undertake a finance and infrastructure     audit of Eskom rather than an auditing firm;

(3) where will the funds originate from that are to be appropriated in payment for the auditing of Eskom?

NW1925E

REPLY:

(1)(a) and (b) Eskom used its procurement processes to identify and appoint Dentons to conduct an audit into Eskom’s affairs.

(2) The company displayed a range of expertise which Eskom deemed as necessary for conducting the independent inquiry.

(3) The funds will be re-prioritised internally and costs reallocated to this accordingly.

Issued by Parliament, June 1 2015