Eskom needs the same treatment as SABC‚ says MP as committee grills Brown

Public enterprises minister Lynne Brown and Eskom chair Ben Ngubane were hauled over the coals in parliament on Tuesday as they explained the reappointment of Brian Molefe at the power utility.

Brown and Ngubane had been summoned by parliament’s portfolio committee on public enterprises after Molefe returned to his post as Eskom chief executive.

Ngubane got off on the wrong foot by suggesting that his answers would be restricted by pending legal action brought by the DA to oppose Molefe’s reappointment.

• READ IN FULL: Eskom affidavits on reinstatement of Brian MolefeEmbattled Eskom CEO Brian Molefe was considered to be on "unpaid leave" after his initial resignation from the power utility in November last year‚ according to court papers filed on Monday.  

Committee members dismissed Ngubane’s disclaimer‚ saying that those limitations did not apply to parliament.

Brown said she had been surprised by the level of opposition to Molefe’s comeback. She said even though she understood the controversy‚ Molefe had not been found guilty of any offence.

She also said that she believed the decision to allow him to return was legal.

But committee members from both the ruling party and the opposition were united in their objection to Brown and Ngubane’s explanations.

• WATCH LIVE: Brown explains Molefe's Eskom return in ParliamentPublic Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown is briefing Parliament's communication services on the reappointment of Brian Molefe as Eskom group chief executive. 

“You must not try to take us for a ride. There were interviews conducted for the appointment of Eskom CEO. Why? Because there was a vacancy that was created‚” said EFF MP Floyd Shivambu.

Various reasons have been offered for Molefe’s resumption of his Eskom job.

Molefe said in November last year that he was stepping down as Eskom CEO after he was implicated in a report on state capture by former public protector Thuli Madonsela.

But since then Eskom has said that Molefe had left on early retirement. However‚ subsequent explanations have included that he was retrenched and that he had been on unpaid leave.

• 'I never resigned' - MolefeEmbattled Eskom CEO Brian Molefe was considered to be on "unpaid leave" after his initial resignation from the power utility in November last year‚ according to court papers filed on Monday.  

Brown said she had been “under the impression” that Molefe had resigned.

“This board needs the same TCP treatment given to SABC‚” said DA MP John Steenhuisen.

The SABC was given a grilling during a parliamentary inquiry broadcast on television last year. The inquiry revealed allegations of widespread irregularities and mismanagement. The board has since been replaced by an interim body.

The hearings continue.