Cope threat to bar Molefe from Eskom
Parastatal to use cops to stop party’s protest action
Power parastatal Eskom will today beef up its security as Brian Molefe returns as group chief executive.
This comes after opposition party Cope threatened to prevent Molefe from entering the Megawatt Park offices in Johannesburg.
Eskom board spokesman Khulani Qoma told Sowetan yesterday security would be tightened and police would also be called in. “Mr Molefe is accorded VIP protection as per Eskom policy. SAPS has been informed and they will respond appropriately. Eskom security has also been placed on high alert,” Qoma said.
He said if Cope and its members head to Eskom headquarters the march would be illegal.
Cope spokesman Dennis Bloem said he was not concerned that their gathering might be classified as illegal.
“We are not worried that Eskom is saying it is an illegal thing. The police must first arrest Brian Molefe and we are determined to stand against corruption,” Bloem said.
Molefe’s reappointment has caused concern among unions and ANC leaders.
ANC leaders were reportedly scheduled to meet Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown to call for her to fire the Eskom board or instruct it to cancel Molefe’s appointment.
Molefe left Eskom in December following 18 months at the helm, after he was implicated in then public protector Thuli Madonsela’s State of Capture report.