Question NW1653 to the Minister of Public Enterprises
13 September 2017 - NW1653
Mazzone, Ms NW to ask the Minister of Public Enterprises
(1) Whether there was an instruction by the Eskom Board to curtail the scope of the Dentons Report; if so, (a) why and (b) what are the further relevant details in this regard; (2) Whether any interim reports from Dentons were collected and destroyed by the Eskom Board; if so, (a) why they destroyed and (b) what are the further relevant details in this regard?
Reply:
No. The Board did not issue an instruction to Dentons to curtail the scope of the investigation. Upon receipt of the preliminary findings from Dentons, the Board found that the issues identified by Dentons were not unfamiliar to it. Given the time constraints and running costs, a decision was taken by the Eskom Board to rather curtail the duration of the investigation in order that the report presented so far may be used, to attend to areas of concern. The curtailment was by no means implying that any further investigations in areas of specificity will not in the future be carried out by the Board.
(1)(a)
Not applicable
(1)(b)
Not applicable
(2)
No
(2)(a)
Not applicable
(2)(b)
It is incorrect to state that a version(s) of the Dentons report was destroyed. Based on the need to protect the sanctity of the report during its draft phase against possible leaks (which would have had a devastating impact) copies, and not the actual draft report, were destroyed. While evidence had not been corroborated, people’s names had been mentioned and therefore Eskom provided copies to Board member only. These copies were recalled and destroyed as a form of control to ensure that the copies provided would not be leaked. There is distinct difference between a copy circulated to members to peruse and the actual report itself.
Remarks: Reply: Approved / Not Approved
Mr. Mogokare Richard Seleke Ms. Lynne Brown, MP
Director-General Minister of Public Enterprises
Date: Date: