Oberholzer served as Eskom’s COO from 2018 until July 2023, a period marked by challenges for the utility, including financial difficulties and worsening load-shedding.
“Oberholzer’s company had an unfair advantage as he had access to privileged information about Eskom’s requirements that other bidders did not have (as an insider),” BBC CEO Kganki Matabane said.
Meanwhile, the NUM described the situation as “a clear case of a revolving door—where an individual transitions from a position of immense public influence at a state-owned entity to a private company that benefits directly from policies and initiatives he once championed.”
What Mulilo answered
Mulilo emphasised that the contract was awarded through a government-led process and directed all procurement-related inquiries to the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO) and the Department of Electricity and Energy for comment.
“We note the media interest following the announcement that Mulilo has been awarded preferred bidder status for four projects under the Battery Energy Storage Independent Power Producer Procurement Programme (BESSIPPPP).
“As this was a Government-led process, we encourage that all procurement-related enquiries should be forwarded to the Independent Power Producer Office (IPPO) and the Department of Electricity and Energy for comment.
“As a South African company deeply committed to our country’s energy transition, Mulilo remains focused on delivering solutions that support energy security, create socio-economic value, and accelerate the shift to a sustainable, low-carbon future.”
Minister of Electricity and Energy Kgosientsho Ramokgopa has reportedly defended the awarding of the tender to Mulilo, saying the process was subjected to “rigorous legal, technical, and financial due diligence, consistent with national legislation and the prescripts of the Constitution of the Republic of South Africa, including the objectives of ensuring that public procurement fosters inclusive growth for previously marginalised communities, including women and youth,” the department said, according to Moneyweb.
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