Hawks and SIU Avoid Naming Mabuza in Eskom Corruption Scandal Amid Ongoing Investigations

In light of a private intelligence report suggesting alleged corruption at power utility company Eskom, two notable South African investigative bodies, The Hawks and the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), have chosen not to name former Deputy President David Mabuza as part of these corruption allegations.

These investigative units confirmed to Parliament's Standing Committee on Public Accounts (Scopa) on Tuesday, that the private intelligence report includes names of politicians thought to be involved in the ongoing power utility corruption scandal. Although Mabuza's name appears in the report, Hawks head, Godfrey Lebeya, stated there was no tangible evidence supporting these accusations.

This report emerged following an eNCA television interview in February, during which the then-CEO of Eskom, André de Ruyter, asserted that some senior politicians were intertwined in the corruption at Eskom.

Despite the Democratic Alliance's Alf Lees persistent prodding to ascertain whether the name of the former deputy president was part of those implicated, Lebeya reiterated that nothing concrete exists to support these accusations. He underlined, "There are no affidavits attached. It’s only the information. It’s just written notes.”

Acting Scopa chairperson, Sakhumzi Somyo, also urged patience, saying investigations should be allowed to conclude before any personnel is implicated publicly.