The rich just keep getting richer…

The latest Gupta saga has to do with coal supply to Eskom – a deal that, according to the Sunday Times, took five attempts and ‘extraordinary lengths’ before being awarded.

The Gupta mine linked to the multi-billion rand deal had failed coal quality tests four times, before being awarded the lucrative deal on the fifth try.

The deal results in a 10-year supply to Majuba power station of coal that tested to be ‘within specifications, but risky’.

That was in March.

Then August came and on the 31st, Eskom issued a letter of suspension to the Gupta’s mining company, Tegeta Exploration and Resources – which resulted in only a five day suspension.

Worst thing, shortly after the deal was concluded, four Eskom employees were suspended for questioning the quality of the coal.

Four Eskom employees, with over 50 years experience, involved in the quality control process were suspended. Two laboratories which conducted the coal quality tests, SGS SA and Sibonsiwe Labs, were also suspended by Eskom.

Tegeta immediately made accusations, claiming that the laboratories’ staff colluded with Eskom staff to state the coal was sub-standard in an effort to extract a bribe from the Guptas. The mining company also stated that it is operated ‘in line with cooperate best practice’ – but declined any further comment.

That must be some real dedicated staff if a deal is going to take four years of colluding just for a Gupta-bribe.

[source: businesstech]