Johnathan Paoli
Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has confirmed that the process of selecting a new CEO for Eskom is still underway and the expected turnaround plan for Transnet is being put in place.
Gordhan informed Parliament on Wednesday, about both the process of appointing new management to the power utility since Andre de Ruyter’s resignation; as well as the status of Transnet and its recovery in light of its collapse.
The Minister said during a question and answer session that the power utility should have a new CEO by the end of the year, and that three names will be submitted for consideration in line with the legal requirements.
Gordhan came under fire from both the EFF and the DA and has been blamed for the collapsing of the country’s major SOEs.
EFF MP Omphile Maotwe asked whether the circumstances leading to black executives leaving State-Owned Enterprises without completing their terms had been investigated.
Gordhan responded by saying it was the shareholder’s role to hold board members to account.
“The boards have a responsibility to ensure that a turnaround strategy is in place and that project management is taking place,” Gordhan said.
DA MP Farhat Essack asked the Minister whether the exodus of directors from SOEs was as a result of political meddling by himself and if he would consider resigning on this basis.
He was further quizzed by the IFP’s Mkhuleko Hlengwa about when he expects to appoint the next CEO after not being satisfied with the last candidate.
“Do you have a preferred candidate for CEO which has led to the extent that you are not in agreement with the outcome of the interview process?” Hlengwa asked.
Gordhan denied mounting rumours of political interference that have stalked the recent resignation of SOE directors including Eskom chair Mpho Makwana, former Transnet Group CEO Portia Derby and former Transnet Freight Rail CEO Siza Mzimela.
“Political meddling is this popular noise that is all over the show. I can guarantee you that I don’t have the time for meddling. I don’t have the spanner or anything else in my office to go around to fix a power station or anything like that,” said Gordhan.
Gordhan praised the continued progress made at Eskom and said his department was working on fixing Transnet after the decline in volumes.
He said the board of Transnet was now implementing the turnaround plan, which should start showing results soon.
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