News

Forum slams Eskom CEO resignation

November 06, 2009 Edition 3

Jacob Maroga's resignation as Eskom CEO has been condemned by the Black Management Forum, which says parastatals have become a slaughterhouse for black professionals.

Eskom chairman, Bobby Godsell, told the utility's employees yesterday that Maroga had tendered his resignation.

A media briefing on the matter was cancelled at the last minute as Godsell rushed off to an urgent meeting.

It is believed Maroga is trying to withdraw his resignation.

He was not at Megawatt Park yesterday.

Push

The Black management Forum said: "We reiterate... that pushing experienced Africans to leave these positions is aimed at destroying institutional memory and experiences of Africans in the economy, so that they remain at the bottom of the economic pyramid."

The ANC Youth League described news of Maroga's resignation as a "rumour" and "a complete lie", while the Young Communist League said the resignation had been "orchestrated".

Both blamed the Eskom board for trying to shift problems to an individual, while the ANCYL slammed what it called Godsell's "hideous attempts to undermine African leadership in the economy".

Addressing the workers at a staff meeting attended by journalists at Megawatt Park in Johannesburg yesterday, Godsell said the utility had accepted Maroga's resignation and that they "wished him well in his future endeavours".

The ID also welcomed Maroga's resignation, saying he had done the "honourable thing" by resigning as CEO.

"Given the persistence of problems at Eskom, the ID believes that Jacob Maroga has done the honourable thing by resigning as CEO," said Lance Greyling, the party's spokesman on energy affairs.

However, Maroga's resignation should not be construed to be a solution to the crisis situation Eskom found itself in, he said.

"The ID therefore believes that we need a far more transparent and accountable energy governance system in South Africa, which will thoroughly scrutinise the actions of Eskom.

"This unholy alliance between the energy regulator, the Department of Energy and Eskom must come to an end so as to create a competitive energy system in which our energy choices can be made in the interest of all South Africans," said Greyling.

Solidarity spokesman Jaco Kleynhans said: "Maroga simply could not manage the electricity supplier efficiently and even failed to appoint competent executive management to salvage the crisis situation at Eskom."

Welcome

The Freedom Front Plus also welcomed Maroga's resignation, saying the new developments at the country's electricity utility would restore stabi- lity at Eskom.

"His resignation will bring more certainty and investors will be more interested in South Africa now," spokesman Pieter Groenewald said.

He added that Maroga should not be given "a golden handshake" because he did not deserve any bonus. - Sapa and Daily News Reporters