Weekend Breakfast with Africa

Earlier in the week, the Democratic Alliance MP, Natasha Mazzone asked for an urgent debate on issues pertaining to Eskom and the entity's ability to deliver energy to the South African public as well as our economy.

The public enterprise minister, Pravin Gordhan then reflected honestly on what some of the challenges are that are facing Eskom, and he reminded South Africans that the months ahead will not be easy and we need to be brave enough to follow it. He said a new business model must be adopted but this does not mean the institution will be privatised.

Corruption and state capture are still very much with us, and that remains to be the cancer that still needs to be removed. We must also have civil claims against the members of the board and the management who have caused loses as far as Eskom is concerned. Ideally, many of them need to end up in jail as compared to sitting at home.

— Pravin Gordhan - Public Enterprise Minister

Speaking to Africa on the Weekend Breakfast, David Lewis who is the executive director at Corruption Watch, said they are will approach the high court to ask the directors to be declared delinquent, failing to fulfill their duty to and obligation. This means that in the application they are making, they will be prevented on serving on any board of directors for life.

With this application we are trying to get to account, when you are asked to serve as a board member, the first thought should not be about the fee or will you make good network whilst serving on the board. The first thought should be, what is going to be demanded of me, and am I going to be able to meet those demands because these are complex and difficult responsibilities.

— David Lewis - Executive Director at Corruption Watch

Click below to listen to the full interview: