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Cape Town - Ben Martins, Deputy Minister of Public Enterprises, on Thursday spoke out about allegations of the Guptas' involvement at state-owned enterprises (SOEs) and the dilemma of Brian Molefe's return as CEO at Eskom.
He acknowledged the dire need for sharper oversight of SOEs.
"The conundrum of the able career public servant Mr Brian Molefe’s exit and return at Eskom has starkly foregrounded the need for the ministry and the department to sharpen their approach to shareholder oversight," Martins said.
READ: Eskom issue difficult, embarrassing for ANC - Mkhize
Delivering his budget speech in Parliament on Thursday afternoon, Martins further said the "vexed matter" concerning Tegeta, a company associated with the Gupta family, is also a concern.
"Fairness, transparency and justice demand full disclosure on this matter," Martins said. "The veil covering coal purchases [must] be lifted to expose all the names of the companies, the terms and nature of their contracts, the volumes they supplied and the monetary payment they received for it," Martins said to loud applause from members of Parliament, including Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown.
READ: Damning PwC report on Eskom's Gupta-linked Tegeta deal
Martins said it is alleged that some of these companies received one- to three-year contracts, while others were awarded 30- to 45-year contracts.
"It is not for me to speculate which companies received short-term contracts and which where granted long-term contracts. The facts will speak for themselves," Martins said.
Brown, who delivered her speech at the start of the mini-debate, announced she will launch a full-scale investigation into all allegations of wrongdoing at Eskom, including the coal procurement contracts as well as the state capture report of former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.
READ: Brown to launch own full-scale investigation into Eskom
'Bring in the asset forfeiture unit'
Debating the budget speech, African Christian Democratic Party MP Steve Swart asked Brown if she thinks a "parallel investigation" into Eskom's affairs is wise.
"There is already prima facie evidence (of wrongdoing)," Swart said. "Bring in the asset forfeiture unit. The money is already in Dubai," he added.
Natasha Mazzone from the Democratic Alliance said the Parliamentary investigation (in addition to Brown's own investigation) will reveal all the shenanigans at Eskom. "Minister, please suspend the Eskom board and collect all the documents," she said, referring to allegations that important documents and correspondence relating to Molefe's resignation and reappointment have been destroyed.
"We can’t afford any load shredding."
READ: Eskom denies destroying Molefe papers, but DA says source is solid
Narend Singh from the Inkatha Freedom Party said in his speech SOEs are the cash cows and ATMs of a few well-connected individuals.
He told Brown that her intended inquiry is "too little, too late". "Money has been looted and will continue to be looted under your watch," Singh said.
Nqabayomzi Kwankwa from the United Democratic Movement said there is an "official ANC and an unofficial ANC" which allow President Jacob Zuma to go about his "corrupt activities".
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