Mark Pamensky, who is a director of a company owned by the Gupta family that has ties with President Jacob Zuma\u2019s son, resigned as a board member a Eskom, less than a week after the utility\u2019s chief executive officer\u2019s quit.<\/p>\n
Recommendations will be made to the cabinet \u201csoon\u201d on how the power company\u2019s board will be strengthened, Public Enterprise Minister Lynne Brown said in an e-mailed statement announcing the resignation on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Pamensky has been a non-executive director at Eskom since December 2014.<\/p>\n
Both Pamensky and CEO Brian Molefe were subpoenaed to answer to the nation\u2019s Public Protector over an anti-graft investigation into the influence the Gupta family – who are friends with Zuma – have over government appointments and contracts.<\/p>\n
The family and Zuma deny any wrongdoing. Molefe on Friday said he will leave Eskom \u201cin the interests of good corporate governance\u201d and that his name will be cleared.<\/strong><\/p>\n Members of Eskom\u2019s board failed to declare their close business and personal relationships with the Gupta family, according to a report released November 2 by former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela.<\/p>\n It appears that Eskom last year forced Glencore into selling its Optimum mine to Tegeta Exploration & Resources, then part-owned by the Guptas and Zuma\u2019s son, said Madonsela. She ordered the establishment of a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate whether there had been any wrongdoing.<\/p>\n Pamensky is still the lead independent non-executive director at Oakbay Resources and Energy, but is no longer a director at Shiva Uranium, according to a company spokesperson. Both companies are owned by the Guptas.<\/p>\n Molefe turns down staff request to remain CEO – Report<\/strong><\/p>\n Meanwhile, Eskom staff urged Molefe to remain as CEO, as they were happy with the direction and stability he had created at the power utility.<\/p>\n Molefe, who was called to a meeting by staff calling themselves the “guardians”, turned down their request, according to Business Day<\/a> on Wednesday.<\/p>\n The group will write a letter to Brown, requesting her to refuse his resignation. However, Brown and the board have already accepted his resignation.<\/p>\n