Morning Brief: Eskom corruption leads to further arrests following R6 million kickback

Good morning, here’s what you need to know today:

As we continue to struggle with load shedding, some have been profiting off Eskom’s misfortune to the tune of millions, Cosatu says it will challenge dismissals related to mandatory covid-19 vaccinations, and Twitter sues Elon Musk for backing out of the deal to buy the social media company, citing his tweets.

Eskom corruption arrests: The R2bn ABB contract, Kusile kickbacks and the Kokos – News24 (for subscribers)

While we continue to face prolonged load shedding due to a generation capacity shortage, which has only been intensified by the construction of the 5,500 MW Kusile power station, which remains unfinished, others were taking kickbacks worth R6 million.

Two former ABB employees have been arrested for receiving the kickbacks, which stem from a R2 billion contract that was awarded to ABB for work at Eskom’s Kusile power station in 2015.

The pair ignored procurement policies and subcontracted the work to Impulse International, which at the time had former acting Eskom CEO Matshela Koko’s stepdaughter as a shareholder with evidence showing the Koko family benefited from the money. Read more here.

Cosatu challenge to workplace vaccination may be first salvo in a broader war – Business Day (for subscribers)

Trade union federation Cosatu says that while it is in support of covid-19 vaccination for workers it will challenge mandatory vaccination policies and will seek the reinstatement of employees that have been dismissed for failure to be vaccinated.

The labour federation’s reaction follows a recent Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA) ruling that states mandatory vaccination policies may be unlawful.

Cosatu said it was calling on all workers who have been dismissed to lodge grievances with the CCMA and labour courts. Read more here.

Twitter sues to force Elon Musk to consummate $44bn buyout – Daily Maverick/Bloomberg

Twitter has sued the world’s richest man, Elon Musk, over his abandoned bid to buy the bluebird social media network for $44 billion.

Musk canned the deal on Friday citing concerns about the number of fake accounts that exist on the platform.

Twitter has called Musk’s backtracking on the deal “invalid and wrongful” and cited 13 of Musk’s tweets, which indicated his desire to purchase the social network. Read more here.