Matshela Koko’s resignation is breath of fresh air at Eskom

OUTA welcomes the departure of Eskom executive Matshela Koko, who resigned during his disciplinary hearing, and calls on Eskom to ensure that he is prosecuted.

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16/02/2018 08:17:27

Matshela Koko’s resignation is breath of fresh air at Eskom


"Matshela Koko is a technical delinquent who is beyond redemption as he is unable to acknowledge his own mistakes. This man should be hold accountable and be prosecuted for lying to the parliamentary inquiry by claiming ignorance,” says Ben Theron, OUTA’s COO.

“It is time for Koko to face the music and take accountability for his actions related to state capture and his misconduct within Eskom by failing to adhere to the code of ethics.”

The controversial executive reportedly tendered his resignation on February 16 during his disciplinary hearing, without admitting any guilt. Eskom initially refused to accept it, as the new management wanted the hearing to continue to finality, but later accepted it after taking legal advice.

The Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) wants Koko to be held accountable and to face both criminal charges and civil action to recover looted funds.

“We implore the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises and Eskom’s new board to ensure that he faces the full might of the law, for his shenanigans to be investigated and the financial implications quantified, so that the recovery of illegal benefits is set in motion,” says Theron.

He called for the terms of Koko’s departure to be made public and said OUTA will institute legal action if Koko is paid a golden handshake.

OUTA believes that Koko must be summoned to give evidence in the upcoming Commission of Inquiry into State Capture.

Koko has worked for Eskom since 1996 and, since October 2015, was the executive in charge of generation. As such, he oversaw the coal contracts that have been central to allegations of corruption. He also served briefly as Eskom’s acting CE.

In  October last year, OUTA laid criminal charges of corruption and fraud against him, over allegations that he helped the Guptas in their acquisition of Optimum Coal Holdings by helping push the mine into financial distress and a forced sale, helped provide Eskom funding for the purchase and accepted a trip to Dubai from the Guptas. Eskom brought disciplinary charges against Koko over the R1 billion contract which his step-daughter’s business had with Eskom.

Koko repeatedly denied wrongdoing and, in turn, claimed he was being targeted for exposing corruption at Kusile power station.




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