Tsotsi's "resignation" clears way for Zuma favourite, Ngubane

31 March 2015

While the DA welcomes the long overdue resignation of Eskom Chairperson, Zola Tsotsi, I will urgently write to Minister of Public Enterprises, Lynne Brown requesting that she urgently address Parliament and the nation on the leaderless shambles that Eskom finds itself in. 

This follows a press release, by Eskom this morning, stating that a discussion was held between Eskom's board and Tsotsi, who has subsequently agreed to step down as both a director and chairman.

Mr Tsotsi has been chairman of the 13-member board since 2011, and is one of only two directors to have survived a board reshuffle in December. He has been accused of irregular interference in the running of the company and is said to be constantly undermining executive managers. 

Ben Ngubane was appointed acting chairman with immediate effect. 

It must not be forgotten that there was a tussle over the Eskom chairmanship in December during the ANC Lekgotla. The ANC NEC preferred former Eskom executive and electrical engineer, Pat Naidoo, while President Zuma favoured his friend, Ngubane. The impasse was settled by retaining the incumbent, Zola Tsotsi, despite the utility's dismal performance under his watch. 

This is a further sign that political interests dominate decisions around Eskom at a time when the efficiency and management of the utility needs to be a first priority.

At a time when Eskom needs strong, objective leadership, Minister Brown must resist political pressure and ensure that key decisions around Eskom's leadership are made for the right reasons. 

The Minister must further answer the following questions forthrightly:

Was she unduly influenced politically by the President to ensure Ben Ngubane became Chairperson of Eskom

What is the status of an independent inquiry into Eskom's affairs

Was Zola Tsotsi's resignation communicated to the Deputy President and the Eskom "war room",

What is the value of Mr Tsotsi's severance package and pension,

When will she engage in the process of appointing a permanent Chairperson, and

Will the suspensions of top executives enacted by Mr Tsotsi, who presided over the collapse of Ekom, be reversed? 

The hand of political interference at Eskom is now as clear as day. In order to appoint a Zuma acolyte in the top position at Eskom, President Zuma and his administration are willing to see Eskom lurch from disaster to disaster. The problems at Eskom require real concerted action and not distracting side-shows. 

The brunt of this political wrangling and infighting is borne by ordinary hard working South Africans who have to deal with the daily upheaval that load shedding brings. 

The DA will monitor this situation very closely and will scrutinise every aspect of the appointment process of a permanent Chairperson. South African's cannot allow President Zuma to continue to place the entire country's welfare at risk to achieve political gains. 

Statement issued by Natasha Mazzone MP, DA Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises, March 31 2015

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