ANC secretary general, Gwede Mantashe, has called for Brian Molefe to be removed from his position as Eskom CEO following a calamitous few weeks for the state owned energy company, mostly around his re-appointment.<\/p>\n
Mantashe was speaking to the media following a meeting by the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the African National Congress (ANC) over the past weekend.<\/p>\n
“We noted the promising work being done to stabilize the South African Broadcasting Corporation (SABC) and discussed the current challenges facing Eskom.<\/p>\n
“The NEC reaffirmed that the decision to reappoint Comrade Brian Molefe to Eskom be rescinded and not to wait for the courts to direct them on this decision. Government itself encourages judicial overreach when it fails to lead when it should,” Mantashe said.<\/p>\n
City Press reported that the DA has filed an affidavit in response to Eskom\u2019s argument that Molefe never resigned as Eskom CEO.<\/p>\n
Eskom argued that Molefe should return to the company as CEO in order to correct the R30-million pension payout he received when he left the company in 2016.<\/p>\n
Eskom said the R30-million payout was a mistake, as Molefe was too young to receive the retirement payout.<\/p>\n
The DA said Eskom\u2019s decision to allow Molefe to return to the company is an exercise of public power and could be challenged on the basis of rationality.<\/p>\n
Statements released by Eskom board chairman Ben Ngubane and Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown provided conflicting reports on Molefe\u2019s departure from the company.<\/p>\n
Eskom\u2019s claims of Molefe being on \u201cunpaid leave\u201d conflict with public documents, including statements published by Brown and Molefe.<\/p>\n
Both the DA and EFF recently expressed their opposition to the reinstatement of Molefe and said they would take urgent action against the decision.<\/p>\n
The ANC has also condemned the recent statements by Brown and Ngubane, saying their representations amounted to perjury.<\/p>\n