MK Party wants a review of clean energy tender awarded to former Eskom COO’s company
The multibillion-rand clean energy tender was awarded to a company run by former Eskom executive, Jan Oberholzer.
Former Eskom COO Jan Oberholzer. Picture: X/Eskom_SA
JOHANNESBURG - The uMkhonto weSizwe (MK) Party is calling for a review of the multibillion-rand clean energy tender awarded to a company run by former Eskom executive, Jan Oberholzer.
On Friday, the Department of Electricity and Energy announced the preferred bidders of its Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producers Procurement Programme.
Out of the five available projects, four were awarded to the renewable energy company, Mulilo Energy.
In September 2023, Mulilo appointed Oberholzer as its chairperson, two months after he left Eskom as its Chief Operating Officer (COO).
MK Party national spokesperson Nhlamulo Ndhlela said there was a clear conflict of interest in the whole deal.
“These awards reek of pre-arranged deals, insider networks and foreign capture of South Africa’s energy infrastructure, all in the name of just energy transition.
"The MK Party has written formally to the Minister of Electricity and Energy, demanding full disclosure of the bid adjudication records within seven days. Should the minister fail to comply, the MK Party will immediately approach the courts to interdict and suspend these contracts.”