The Human Rights Defenders Coalition (HRDC) has given Escom a four-day ultimatum to withdraw the K675 million contract for the demolition of burnt Escom House along Haile Selassie Avenue.

Coalition’s vice chairperson Timothy Mtambo is demanding justification on how Escom granted a South African company, Irrigwater and Mining Equipment an expensive contract while other bidders offered prices below K100 million.

Escom publicist Innocent Chitosi defended the deal saying that local bidders have no equipment capacity for the job.