The fallout from former Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter’s interview with eNCA’s Annika Larsen continues. De Ruyter alleged in the interview that there was widespread crime and corruption at the utility and that he had been threatened with cyanide poisoning and had a coffee cup spiked with poison. The ANC has given him seven days to report his allegations to authorities, and failure to do so will force them to lay charges against him.
Legal Expert Mpumelelo Zikalala has spoken to the media about the legal implications of this situation. He says De Ruyter is legally obligated to report his allegations to the police, as per Section 34 of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act. Once he has reported the allegations, De Ruyter’s participation in the process ends and it is up to the police to investigate further.
Zikalala also addresses the issue of De Ruyter’s safety, as he has expressed fear for his life. Zikalala states that there are laws in place to protect whistleblowers, such as the Protection of Information Act. He also encourages De Ruyter to make use of the witness protection program that is available through the police.
In addition, Zikalala states that De Ruyter is obligated to report his allegations to political appointees, such as the Minister of Public Enterprises and the President. This is to ensure that the wrongdoings are addressed and any funds that were embezzled are recovered.
It remains to be seen if De Ruyter will comply with the ANC’s request and report his allegations to the authorities. What is certain is that he is legally obligated to do so and has rights and protections in place to ensure his safety.
Tags: ANC Andre de Ruyter Eskom