Riyaz Patel
Jabu Mabuza has resigned as Eskom Chairman, apologising for the utility’s “inability” to meet the commitment made to President Cyril Ramaphosa that there will be no load shedding over the festive period.
At a meeting with the president, deputy president and relevant ministers on 11 December 2019, Eskom presented plans to ensure the risk of load shedding would be eliminated during the holiday period until 13 January 2020.
”In the circumstance, the promise you have to the Nation on the reliance you placed on our plans was not met. For this, Mr President to you, the Deputy Pres, the Minister, I apologise. Accordingly, I offer my immediate resignation as the leader and chairman of Eskom.”
Outgoing Eskom Chair David Mabuza
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan accepted Mabuza’s resignation, and in a statement, Ramaphosa wished Mabuza well in his future endeavours.
The presidential statement added that government will “soon announce” a re-configured Eskom board with the “appropriate mix of electricity industry, engineering and corporate governance experience.”
Mabuza’s resignation come shortly after Mabuza said the Eskom board “misled” Ramaphosa on the country’s power crisis.
Presidential spokesperson Khusela Diko responded that there was no “ill intention” on the part of the Eskom board when it told Ramaphosa that there would be no load shedding before January the 13th, adding there were “unforeseen circumstances” which resulted in renewed power cuts – despite the assurances from the Eskom board.
ANC veteran and NEC member Tokyo Sexwale described as “sloppy” the divergent views on Eskom as expressed by the deputy president, and the subsequent response by the Presidential spokesperson which contradicted Mabuza’s comments.
