Eskom: R564m prepayment to Gupta company to help avoid load shedding
Eskom prepaid R564-million to a Gupta-owned company to help avoid “load shedding” in winter‚ it was claimed on Monday.The according to utility’s spokesperson Matshela Koko‚ talking on Radio 702 following a report in the City Press on Sunday that Eskom had awarded a contract to the Tegeta Exploration and Resources that bailed out the ailing private company.“Eskom has quietly awarded a contract worth more than R564-million to a coal mining company owned by the Gupta family and President Jacob Zuma’s son Duduzane‚” the paper reported on Sunday.The deal would take its Optimum Coal – which is reported to be losing more than R100-million a month - out of business rescue.City Press reported on Sunday that Koko initially denied then admitted it had prepaid R586-million to Tegeta when interviewed by Carte Blanche.On Monday‚ Koko said the payout in question was not unusual‚ and Eskom had made a number of prepayments to ensure coal reserves were at levels that would avert outages.He said Eskom had adopted this practice since the power crisis of 2008.TMG Digital..
There’s never been a more important time to support independent media.
From World War 1 to present-day cosmopolitan South Africa and beyond, the Sunday Times has been a pillar in covering the stories that matter to you.
For just R80 you can become a premium member (digital access) and support a publication that has played an important political and social role in South Africa for over a century of Sundays. You can cancel anytime.
Already subscribed? Sign in below.
Questions or problems? Email helpdesk@timeslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00.