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While the world is focused on the coronavirus pandemic, Deloitte has been making major changes in upper management.
Deloitte last month agreed to return R150 million to Eskom to resolve a case related to a contested consulting contract. (You can read the detailed reports from amaBhungane that seem to have contributed to that deal here and here.)
Since then, it has become known that Thiru Pillay, managing director of Deloitte Africa’s advisory arm, has resigned in the wake of the scandal.
There is also Shamal Sivasanker, Deloitte Africa’s leader in infrastructure and energy and the lead consultant on the Eskom contract.
Both directors left the firm in late March, but Deloitte did not announce their departures until yesterday when, in response to detailed questions from amaBhungane, a Deloitte spokesperson issued a brief statement:
“Following the resolution of the Eskom matter, Deloitte confirms that the directors have acknowledged that the events related to the Eskom matter occurred under their supervision. They have assumed leadership responsibility and have withdrawn from the Firm as of March 31, 2020. “
“Taking responsibility is in line with our firm’s values. Investigations by Eskom and Deloitte showed no evidence of state capture or corruption (see attached joint statement).”
Deloitte has repeatedly emphasized this last part. amaBhungane understands that Deloitte would only be resolved if Eskom agreed to make this concession.
This does not mean that Deloitte’s conduct in Eskom, such as her decision to associate with a company linked to Gupta, cannot be investigated by the Hawks, the Special Investigation Unit or the Zondo Commission of Inquiry into the state’s capture. But for now, it has given Deloitte, one of the world’s top four accounting firms, room to breathe.
When amaBhungane interviewed Pillay in December, she insisted that the company would not settle for Eskom. At the time, his team emphasized that he had “been overlooked globally” in deciding to grant the interview.
Neither Pillay nor Sivasanker responded to our requests for comment sent via WhatsApp on Tuesday afternoon.
Pillay is one of Deloitte’s best-known executives. Last year, he was named “Top Professional 4 of the Year” by the South African Professional Services Awards.
Her LinkedIn profile describes her new role as “impact maker … independent.”
