Return of ‘action man’
Molefe gets rousing reception from Eskom employees
“WELCOME back, Papa Action,” read a poster at Brian Molefe’s warm reception by Eskom employees as he reported for work at Megawatt Park yesterday, just months after stepping down from the power utility.
On the same day, the DA turned to the courts in a bid to stop him from resuming his job as group chief executive.
But staff members celebrated his return, singing and chanting.
“Thank you for the very warm welcome,” Molefe said.
“We must continue our mission of keeping the lights on and this winter we want very few incidents.”
Molefe made his priorities clear: “We must continue with our nuclear programmes to ensure South Africa has electricity that meets growth.”
Molefe‚ who was made an ANC MP when he left Eskom‚ spent yesterday morning in meetings with the senior leadership at Eskom, despite the outcry over his return.
It emerged on Friday that Molefe had resigned as an MP to take up his former position‚ which he had occupied for 18 months.
He was embroiled in a dispute about whether he was entitled to a payment of more than R30-million after resigning in November.
His resignation, “in the interest of good corporate governance”, involved his alleged relationship with the Gupta family after he was named in the state of capture report by former public protector Thuli Madonsela.
Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown has reportedly been summoned to the ANC’s headquarters at Luthuli House to explain Molefe’s controversial comeback.
Molefe announced his departure from Eskom at a media conference, where he tearfully denied any impropriety and made his much-repeated comment about the Saxonwold shebeen.
Meanwhile, the DA has filed an urgent application with the Pretoria High Court to interdict Molefe from performing any duties or functions as group chief executive at Eskom, and to prevent him from receiving any benefits associated with the position.
The DA also wants the court to review and set aside his reappointment on the basis that it is irrational.
Molefe was given a rousing welcome from Eskom employees when he reported for work yesterday.
Eskom board spokesman Khulani Qoma said Molefe had arrived for work around 7.30am and was surprised that people were camping outside the gate waiting for him to drive in.
“The CEO came to work in the morning and we’ve had a smooth start with no issues,” he said.
Qoma said Molefe would meet Eskom stakeholders during the week.