No Law Enforcement Agency Is After Eskom Leadership For R5 Billion Payment Scandal

"Where are our efforts of fighting crime and corruption? Where are political parties with statements demanding #PaybackTheMoney"

Ekurhuleni Mayor Mzwandile Masina has taken to Twitter to express his concerns about media and law enforcement agencies' silence after Eskom's R5 billion payment scandal.

Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyte admitted that it accidentally made a payment to the tune of R5 billion to an unnamed contractor without any service rendered. 

There seems to be a confusion about the R5 billion payment and Eskom has so far not provided clarity on whether there are steps in place to recover all the money from the suppliers. 

During a meeting held by Parliament's Standing Committee on Appropriations on 27 May 2020, MPs directed questions to Andre de Ruyte about irregular payments. 

Responding to questions De Ruyte told the committee: "We have identified seven coal suppliers, who in our opinion, are charging Eskom too much for the coal that they supply us. We have commenced negotiations with these seven coal suppliers." 

"And we are making good progress with these suppliers and in due course we will be able to update the committee on these matters. We are involved in negotiations and we will when we present our comprehensive feedback in due course come back with a timeline as to when we will close these matters as you suggested.”

It was not clear whether De Ruyte's respond was directed to the question about the R5 billion or it had to do with other irregular payments that Eskom had made.

So Bahlali, no media house nor law enforcement agency is after Eskom leadership for the R5billion scandal? Is this normal? Where are our efforts of fighting crime and corruption? Where are political parties with statements demanding “PayBackTheMoney” I’m just asking

— Mzwandile Masina (@mzwandileMasina) June 12, 2020

Twitter users responded to Mayor Masina's tweet and expressed their concerns about the R5 billion payment and lack of accontability.

Why is the party u joined not going after R5 billion? It really shows dat ANC lost touch with ppl and it is scared. It is ur opportunity to show us that as ANC u can fight corruption too 😅

— Ribes_2704✊🇿🇦🇿🇦 (@Ribes_L) June 12, 2020

If that thing happened in the Municipality you're a Mayor & refusing to disclose the company that received such payment with such amount. They would be calling for your arrest, removal & all media houses will be running story with Breaking News. In SA corruption has eyes & color

— Azania (@AzaniaIzweLethu) June 12, 2020

One user asked Masina about allegations once leveled against him about a chemical toilet tender. He easily responded to the question and assured the user that 'all was accounted for'.

What happened to the R1.9billion chemical toilet tender scandals in Erkhuruleni metro? Are culprits in custody?

— Abuti Josef🇿🇦 (@AbutiJosef) June 12, 2020

Another user expressed concerns about SAA's payment of R80.7 million to Business Rescue Practitioners in just 7 weeks of appointment. 

SAA BRPs spent R80.7 Million in first 7 weeks of appointment. Paid themselves R13.5 million

R67.2 mil - consultation

6 months later no business rescue plan & BRPs request yet another extension from creditors!

*Pravin Gordhan has not been held accountable for this mess pic.twitter.com/GkU6jfHa2t

— Sphithiphithi Evaluator (@_AfricanSoil) June 12, 2020