State Owned Companies must use correct channels of communication

30 March 2015

The Presidency has noted with great concern the comments attributed to the Chairperson of the Board of Eskom, Mr Zola Tsotsi in the Mail and Guardian newspaper on Friday 27 March 2015 (see here).

The chairperson reportedly said he understood a comment from President Jacob Zuma during a casual conversation he had with him at a social function that he should do what he had to do at Eskom, as a directive.

It should be noted that there are clear channels of communication between State Owned Companies and government, and that is through the shareholder, and in the case of Eskom that is the Minister of Public Enterprises, Ms Lynne Brown. It is the Minister who will decide if a matter needs the attention of the President or not, and will brief him accordingly. Any instructions to the Board will come from the Minister if need be, and not the President.

The President has thus not issued any directive to the Chairperson of Eskom.

Statement issued by Mac Maharaj, The Presidency, Pretoria, March 30 2015

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