‘The start of a new Eskom’
MINISTER SAYS SHE WANTED MEMBERS ‘WITH GREEN ENERGY EXPERIENCE’
Dladla appointed acting CEO in uncertain time while court action still looms.
The Minister of Public Enterprises, Lynne Brown, has said it had taken her longer than expected to find a new chief executive officer (CEO) for Eskom because “she had to be cautious”.
In confirming the appointment of Johnny Dladla, a veteran of Eskom management who previously headed a subsidiary called Eskom Enterprises, Brown said the move was the beginning of restoring confidence in Eskom and inculcating a culture of impeccable corporate governance.
Brown said she “couldn’t work with four members” on the board and [the appointment issue of] an additional four members would be taken to Cabinet for approval next month.
Eskom appointed Dladla as the acting group chief executive officer on Thursday, after the inter-ministerial task team rescinded Brian Molefe’s reappointment as CEO.
Following that, Ben Ngubane resigned as Eskom chairperson, citing personal reasons, and Brown appointed Zethembe Khoza in his place.
During a special general meeting yesterday, Brown announced the appointments of scientists Pulane Molokwane and Batjonile Makhubela, chartered accountant Sathiaseelan Gounden, and auditor Simphiwe Dingaan to the reconstituted Eskom board, saying they would add value to the state-owned enterprise.
The new members will join Khoza, Pat Naidoo and Giovanni Leonardi on the board.
Brown said: “I wanted a collection of people with a bit of green energy experience … they are exciting young scientists and one of them has nuclear energy [knowledge],” she stressed.
“Dr Molokwane and Dr Makhubala have green energy, environment experience […] and have project management experience,” she said.
“Mr Dingaan comes with strong project management, entrepreneurial and capability in finance. Mr Gouden is a CA with financial management experience and was in the internal auditing team of Sars,” she said.
Brown said she was hopeful that the Labour Court would declare Molefe’s reappointment as CEO “null and void”. She dismissed speculation that she had a row with former chairperson, Ngubane.
“Dr Ngubane is resigning for personal reasons,” she said. – Citizen and ANA