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In a startling revelation, Metropolis Press has uncovered that Eskom paid the Constancy Providers Group a staggering R500 million for safety and intelligence gathering throughout its infrastructure. The contract, facilitated by former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter and head of safety Karen Pillay, remained undisclosed till now. Constancy’s intelligence findings have been stored beneath wraps, elevating considerations about transparency. The appointment of Constancy might have exploited emergency procurement measures, elevating additional questions on potential safety breaches. These experiences come amidst Eskom’s claims of a sustained marketing campaign of sabotage, with deliberate incidents of injury and operational disruptions.
Eskom spent R500 million on three-month safety deal
By Bradley Prior
Metropolis Press experiences that Eskom paid the Constancy Providers Group R500 million over a three-month interval to supply safety and acquire intelligence at Eskom infrastructure throughout South Africa.
These companies had been reportedly procured by former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter and head of safety Karen Pillay and had been concluded in October 2022.
Constancy’s intelligence findings haven’t been made public, however De Ruyter and Pillay are believed to have acquired these findings earlier than the contract ended.
Learn extra: Eskom in Photos: No denying ANC’s blame. Corruption or incompetence?
In line with the Metropolis Press, the appointment of Constancy was seemingly achieved utilizing Eskom’s emergency procurement prescripts.
This might have relied on the privately-funded George Fivaz Forensic and Danger cowl operation — which has since been labelled a possible safety breach.
In line with the settlement with Constancy, the service supplier was to provide Eskom with 400 armed guards; aerial surveillance, response companies, and assist; and armoured surveillance and response automobiles.
The request additionally stated that Constancy would offer “specialised safety guards and know-how deployment for intelligence-led safety of recognized Eskom belongings and infrastructure, positioned in crime hotspot areas nationally and throughout the Eskom divisions.”
Pillay stated Constancy was paid for its companies with out the data of state safety entities as a result of Eskom didn’t belief the nation’s legislation enforcement businesses.
“In opposition to the backdrop of those threats that additionally have an effect on nationwide safety, and resulting from the truth that legislation enforcement might not be capable to mobilise at such brief discover, it’s incumbent on Eskom because the asset proprietor to deploy further safety measures to safe all high-risk infrastructure (technology, transmission, distribution and strategic amenities) supporting the electrical energy grid nationally,” stated Pillay.
Learn extra: Gordhan slams de Ruyter, energy struggles and accusations fly
Police minister Bheki Cele lately instructed MPs that Pillay was beneath investigation by the police — though he wouldn’t elaborate on the character of the investigation.
Final month, De Ruyter stated in an affidavit that Eskom had been the topic of a “sustained marketing campaign of sabotage” for years.
He said that not the entire injury to Eskom operations and property is attributable to sabotage however that “it’s clear that [some] injury to Eskom property and operations has been deliberate.”
He offered ten situations the place he believed sabotage had brought about important prices at Eskom, which included:
Fireplace at Majoba — Two valves controlling the water move to a fireplace suppression system had been shut off earlier than the hearth broke out.
Pylon collapse at Lethabo — An investigation discovered clear proof of a chopping instrument getting used, and no proof of corrosion.
Coincidental breakdowns — One unit at Kendal Energy Station, and two at Matla Energy Station, broke down on the identical day — taking down capability value two levels of load-shedding. These energy stations are simply 50km aside.
Oil burner journeys at Camden — A contractor admitted to eradicating the bearing oil drain plug from one of many station’s bearings – and confessed that this was an intentional act of sabotage.
Learn extra: SA braces for document winter blackouts as Eskom struggles
De Ruyter contended that the sheer variety of inexplicable incidents of injury to Eskom’s properties, a lot of which had proof of sabotage, “overwhelmingly confirms” that there was a sustained marketing campaign of sabotage.
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This text was first printed by My Broadband and is republished with permission
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