The Public Protector has cleared former Eskom chief executive Andre de Ruyter of any wrongdoing related to procurement and nepotism allegations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This investigation stemmed from a complaint Eskom\u2019s former chief procurement officer, Solly Tshitangano, who accused De Ruyter of racism, nepotism and abuse of power.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tshitangano was suspended for poor performance, after which he took aim at the former Eskom chief executive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In March 2021, Parliament\u2019s Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) met to consider Tshitangano’s claims.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The committee said the allegations against De Ruyter was serious enough to warrant a full investigation into the issue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Eskom appointed Advocate Ishmael Semenya to investigate the allegations, including abuse of power, racial discrimination, and poor governance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Tshitangano also accused De Ruyter of irregular recruitment, irregular staff appointments, and unlawful procurement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In June 2021, Semenya dismissed these allegations, saying he could not find evidence that De Ruyter was guilty of these practices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Eskom board supported Semenya\u2019s findings, adding that there was a pattern where employees charged with poor performance made wild allegations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cEskom employees charged with poor performance or ill-discipline tend to go public with wild and baseless claims,\u201d the board said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe Board deeply regrets the waste of time, money and resources incurred by taxpayers due to such irresponsible conduct.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
De Ruyter said throughout the whole Solly saga, he was grateful for the unwavering support of Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, the Eskom chair.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
However, this was not the end of the issue. It included the the Public Protector, the minister of public enterprises, the Auditor-General and the president.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The complaints filed with the Public Protector in January 2021 related to a procurement process to appoint a contractor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He accused De Ruyter of appointing Werner Mouton to analyse fuel oil bid documents without following due process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n