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As it happened - Day 3 of Koko's disciplinary hearing

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Matshela Koko. (Pic: Lihlumelo Toyana, Netwerk24)
Matshela Koko. (Pic: Lihlumelo Toyana, Netwerk24)
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20 Oct 2017

Hearing adjourned after Koko's counsel objects to "hearsay evidence".

After Krugel testifies on the final charge that Koko faces, Koko’s counsel Frans Barrie intervenes accusing Eskom counsel Matsaung of leading evidence on hearsay.

“She wasn't there, she can’t testify to this,” Barrie said.

Matsaung said Barrie’s objection is tantamount to an ambush.

The charge in question alleges that the executive undermined the Kusile tender committee by removing its submission to negotiate with service provider ERI for cabling units one to six and instructed that it should be awarded to ABB.

Koko denied this allegation, and Krugel’s testimony said she could not find concrete evidence to indicate that Koko had removed the submissions.

Krugel, however, is only able to stay till 18:00, and because Matsaung needs further evidence from her, the matter is adjourned till Monday 14:00. 

20 Oct 2017

Koko fired workers at Kusile, creating a rift 

Eskom's counsel Sebetja Matsaung recalled forensic investigator Annemarie Krugel from Nkonki Incorporated, who testified on the allegations in charge 5 that Eskom executive Matshela Koko is facing.

This charge relates to Koko giving an instruction in February to Eskom’s project director at Kusile, Frans Sithole, to remove consultancy Arup Tata’s project manager, Gobal Kambi, the company GTC and an Eskom senior manager for contract management, France Hlaukudi from the project.

Koko then failed to give a proper reason for his instruction to Sithole and Eskom group executive for group capital Abram Masango.

Krugel said the charge was triggered when former Eskom chair Ben Ngubane received an anonymous letter, making allegations that Koko had fired certain companies and people from Kusile in February without proper authorisation.  

Krugel said Nkonki was able to determine that the allegations were indeed correct. But she said that the firm was unable to determine who is the company GTC was,  who was mentioned in the letter.

Krugel said that when she consulted with Sithole, he confirmed the allegations. "Koko did verbally communicate with Sithole to remove the companies and people mentioned in the charge."

Sithole and Masango then met, and after Sithole had left the meeting, he informed Hlaukudi and the mentioned companies that they need to leave Kusile immediately. During the investigation, Krugel said the investigators asked Koko why he issued this instruction.

Koko said he received confidential information that demanded action. He disclosed the information to the investigators, said Kruger, but Nkonki did not include it in the report at his request. 

In the consultation. Koko said he was under the impression he acted within his authority. Kruger said. Sithole, however,  didn't understand why instruction was given.

To him Masango was the group executive of group capital investment, and he was uncertain why Koko went over Masango's head. 

"If you understand Eskom structure, you would understand why there might have been a problem," Krugel said. "Koko came from group generation and Masango came from group capital. At the time Sithole reported to Masango."

She said that Sithole was upset that he had been ordered to fire Hlaukudi. "He was unaware of the reason, apart from Koko saying that those people needed to be removed."

The question, Krugel said, was why did Koko go directly to Sithole and skip Masango? As a result, Masango and Sithole arranged a meeting with Koko.

After a fiery discussion, Sithole was ordered out of the room, with Masango and Koko continuing the discussion over the matter. 

Krugel said Nkoni was unable to meet with Hlaukudi.

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