The Democratic Alliance (DA) has called into question state power utility Eskom\u2019s recent awarding of the R4 billion steam generator replacement contract at the Koeberg nuclear facility.<\/p>\n
DA shadow deputy minister for energy, Gordon Mackay, said the political party will write to the Minister of Public Enterprises, Lynne Brown, to obtain access to all documents pertaining to the contract.<\/p>\n
The DA noted reports of strong political interference in the awarding of the replacement contract as deeply concerning, “as this interference is not only highly irregular but may also, in time, come to pose a major nuclear safety threat to the nation as replacement work on the generators become further delayed”.<\/p>\n
It said that media reports suggested that the minister of public works, Thulas Nxesi, may have been deliberately misled by senior members of the Eskom board of directors, duping the minister into awarding the steam generator replacement contract contrary to the recommendations of Eskom\u2019s technical team and \u201cexcops\u201d committee which consists of senior Eskom managers.<\/p>\n
The DA said it would request the following:<\/p>\n
“Should the Minister refuse to make these documents available, the DA will submit a Promotion of Access to Information (PAIA) application in order to obtain all critical information relating to irregular awarding of this tender,” Mackay said.<\/p>\n
“We cannot idly standby as a R4 billion fraud is committed by state actors against the best interests of the South African people,” the DA said.<\/p>\n
Half a million rand for every Eskom employee<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n