/ 5 August 2011

Court orders release of Eskom-BHP price deal

A judge on Friday ordered state utility Eskom to release details of an undisclosed pricing deal with mining giant BHP Billiton which could prove embarrassing to both parties.

Media24 requested the information, saying it showed a cosy relationship kept secret from the public in which Eskom provided electricity at cut-rate prices.

Judge Frans Kgomo said the release was in the public interest, radio broadcaster Eyewitness News reported.

Eskom spokesperson Hilary Joffe said the company would not appeal the ruling.

BHP could not immediately comment. — Reuters