Eskom Ordered to Fire Suspended Solly Tshitangano for Misleading the Power Utility

Friday, May 28, 2021 at 3:54 PM by Phumzile Ngcatshe

- A disciplinary commission chaired by Nazeer Cassim has found that the suspended Solly Tshitangano lied to Eskom about dealings with Econ Oil

- Cassim has recommended to Eskom that the suspended procurement officer, Tshitangano, be dismissed with immediate effect

- It has also been reported that Cassim said former official Thandi Marah should face the music together with Thsitangano for intentionally going against their duties

PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see Briefly.co.za News on your News Feed!

Briefly News has learned that there are calls for suspended Eskom chief procurement officer Solly Tshitangano to be fired from his position. This comes after the officer was found to have advanced personal interests in the deal involving supplier Econ Oil.

Tshitangano is also found guilty of intentionally breaching his duty and misleading Mzansi’s power generator.

According to News24, the chairperson of his disciplinary inquiry Nazeer Cassim has submitted his ruling to the parastatal on Friday morning.

Read also

Bishop Israel Makamu released on R2 000 bail, charged with assault

The Eskom board has heard that former procurement officer Solly Tshitangano should be fired. Image: @Eskom_SA/Twitter
Source: Getty Images

Said Cassim:

“Tshitangano acted dishonourably and has exhibited all qualities that make him unsuitable for the position he occupies.

“He declined the opportunity to deal frankly with serious allegations of misconduct. I recommend his immediate dismissal and I further recommend that Eskom take appropriate steps against all those involved improperly on the Econ Oil saga.”

PAY ATTENTION: Never miss breaking news – join Briefly News' Telegram channel

It is also reported that the embattled power supplier has filed criminal charges against former Eskom official Thandi Marah and Econ Oil, a company that has supplied Eskom with oil since 2003.

In other news, the commission into State Capture chairperson Raymond Zondo has dismissed the power utility’s application to cross-examine former chief executive Matshela Koko.

The power utility wanted to refute Koko’s evidence after alleging that President Cyril Ramaphosa influenced the board to trump up charges against him, that Eskom lied to the courts and that he played no role in the awarding of a contract to McKinsey.

Read also

Council for Advancement of SA Constitution says Zuma may be acquitted of all charges

EWN reports that advocate Chris McConnachie represented Eskom and he said Koko’s evidence would leave the power utility tainted unless they cross-examined him.

McConnachie said the cross-examination would assist the commission to get more clarity but Zondo disagreed.

Engineering News reported that Tshitangano was suspended back in February and the state-owned entity was set to institute disciplinary action against him following allegations of poor performance over the last year.

Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter that Tshitangano had been suspended because of his failure to turn around the company's procurement division.

Meanwhile, Briefly News had a story that Eskom has brought its large debt down by R83 billion over the last financial year.

This is according to Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan, who spoke to Parliament on Tuesday, 25 May. Reports revealed that the embattled power station's debt reached R484 billion over 2020/21.