Energy15.03.2015

Eskom shock: dentist and beautician score massive contracts

By Staff Writer

The Sunday Times reported that a dentist and a beautician were beneficiaries of multimillion-rand contracts to supply diesel for its generators.

According to the newspaper, Johannesburg dentist Dr Maxine Kekana’s company, KEKOIL, and beauty therapist Monica Nkosi’s firm, Kamoso Fuels, were given deals to supply diesel to Eskom.

The Sunday Times reported that KEKOIL and Kamoso were newcomers to the energy sector when they got the deals, and did not meet Eskom’s BEE criteria.

This news come only days after Eskom has told four of its top executives to “step down” as an inquiry takes place.

The executives include CEO Tshediso Matona, finance director Tsholofelo Molefe, and two others.

One of the current non-executive Board members, Zethembe Khoza, has been asked to assume the position of interim Chief Executive.

Eskom chairman, Zola Tsotsi made the announcement at a press briefing held on Thursday morning (12 March).

Who are Kamoso Fuels and KEKOIL

The Kamoso Fuels website describes itself as “an independent procurer of petroleum products, that markets and supplies to commercial customers, government and parastatals who use high volumes of petroleum products”.

The website further states that “our company is built on a firm entrepreneurial spirit, underpinned by safety performance and environmental Safety”.

Curiously, Kamoso Fuels’ “About Us” page uses the exact same phrase as another local fuel supplier, YemYem holdings.

KEKOIL’s website states that the company was established in 2008, with its main business being the wholesaling of petroleum products which includes diesel, petroleum, lubricants and gas.

“It is a wholly owned black female entity with aspirations to render services far and wide across the length and breadth of South Africa and beyond,” the website states.

It also says that Maxine Kekana, the sole owner and director of KEKOIL, established “this brainchild after gaining extensive experience, expertise and interest in the petroleum industry after being introduced by a colleague and identifying the opportunities in the wholesale business”.

“The ability to source petroleum commodities and the supply of large quantities of diesels per month from various clients was the main contributing factor to the conception of KEKOIL”.