DNG Energy CEO Aldworth Mbalati has accused some of his peers and government officials of running a campaign to injure him and his company for fighting tender corruption.
On Thursday, about R4 million worth of fine art was seized from his Sandhurst home after the sheriff of the court repossessed more than 50 pieces of fine art, ranging from paintings and sculptures to woven works, which were commissioned from the Candice Berman Gallery in May 2022.
He said the recent media attack on him was staged to ensure that his bid to challenge the Karpowership tender was derailed.
Karpowership, a unit of the Turkish Karadeniz Energy Group, was in 2021 awarded one of the country's longest contracts to supply power from vessels to South Africa in a deal worth more than R218 billion ($15 billion), which Mbalati is challenging through the courts.
According to the Candice Berman Gallery, Mbalati had commissioned the artwork, with the purchase having been confirmed more than seven months ago.
However, payments for the collection were still due, which forced the gallery owner to involve the sheriff to recoup the items.
Mbalati, who was not at home when the sheriff came for the art collection, said ever since he uncovered massive tender corruption involving the awarding of energy supply to Turkish company Karpowership, he has been attacked with the sole intention of bringing his company and his reputation into disrepute.
He said the story regarding his art collection has been blown out of proportion in a bid to achieve nefarious ends against his name. He said the Hollywood-style raid on his home was uncalled for.
"I am an art collector. I have collected South African and international art for many years. This was just a planned and malicious ploy to bring the media, the police, and private security to direct a Hollywood script at my home for a painting. We know what the real intentions are," Mbalati said.
The CEO, who has in the past admitted to his love for art, has admitted to owning a sizeable art collection.
"Yes, my collection is decent in quantity and value, but the real battle here is to injure DNG in light of the energy crisis. I can assure you that is not going to happen," Mbalati said.
Speaking to Independent Media, Mbalati said the recent efforts by some of his detractors which include government and business, was to get to him.
In 2021, DNG blocked an emergency programme to add 2 000MG of electricity generation capacity to the country’s grid after it mounted a legal challenge following the rejection of its bid which was awarded to Karpowership.
Mbalati accused certain government officials of having solicited a R200 million bribe for DNG to be appointed as the successful bidder, which he has refused.