The Minister of Public Enterprises, Lynne Brown, is briefing the media on Eskom following the announcement that Brian Molefe would be returning as its CEO.
His return was sparked by a dispute over a reported R30 million pension payment that he was awarded after he announced in November that he was stepping down “in the interest of good corporate governance.”
The Sunday Times revealed that he was awarded the hefty “golden handshake” despite only being at the power utility for only 18 months.
Minister of Public Enterprises Lynne Brown said shortly afterwards that there was no justification for the payment.
The ANC on Friday joined a chorus of condemnation against Molefe's return.
The ruling party said Molefe was not in a position to return to his post after being named numerous times in the report titled State of Capture by former public protector Thuli Madonsela.
- IN MEMES: Twitter pokes fun as #BrianMolefe heads back to EskomThe announcement that Brian Molefe was set to return to Eskom left many South Africa's shocked but not surprised.
The report had investigated allegations that the Gupta family had used their relationship with President Jacob Zuma to influence government tenders.
"Molefe left Eskom under a cloud following the release of the Public Protector's report into State Capture late last year‚" the party said in a statement.
"The decision therefore to reinstate him in his former position without these matters being resolved is tone deaf to the South African public's absolute exasperation and anger at what seems to be government's lacklustre and lackadaisical approach to dealing decisively with corruption — perceived or real."
WATCH how social media reacted to the news of Molefe's return:
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