Ngubane to answer for Molefe rehiring
DESPITE Dr Ben Ngubane’s resignation as the chairman of Eskom, the ANC caucus in the National Assembly still wants him to account for the board’s decision to reappoint Brian Molefe as the power utility’s chief executive officer.
Ngubane announced his resignation this week following Eskom’s review of its decision to rehire Molefe who had rejoined the company after a stint as an ANC MP in Parliament.
Ngubane and Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown had come under fire following Molefe’s return to Eskom.
The duo (Ngubane and Molefe) also faced allegations that they tried to force former mineral resources minister Ngoako Ramatlhodi to withdraw Glencore’s Optimum mining licences to clear space for a Gupta takeover.
Zukiswa Rantho, a member of the ANC study group on public enterprises, described Ngubane’s resignation as an “attempt to avoid being held accountable for his role in recent events at Eskom”.
Rantho said Ngubane was central to the reappointment of Molefe, adding that the board had failed to respond to a number of questions from the portfolio committee about his reappointment and other misconducts.
She added that it was incorrect for board members of public entities to resign to escape answering serious questions pertaining to their performance.
“The timing and rationale of this resignation is therefore surprising and suspect.
“This resignation must therefore be followed by an investigation into allegations of misconduct and corruption at Eskom,” said Rantho.
The ANC parliamentary spokesperson, Nonceba Mhlauli, said the board would appear before the committee, which is continuing with the investigation, on June 21.
“The committee can either subpoena Mr Ngubane, or it can continue with the investigation in his absence,” said Mhlauli.
Brown’s spokesperson, Colin Cruywagen, said the minister was expecting the Special Investigating Unit to review “the contents of all reports into alleged wrongdoings”.
Brown wanted an investigation into the allegations of procurement and governance misconducts.
She also recommended the involvement of a retired judge.
About the future of the board following Ngubane’s resignation, Cruywagen said: “Eskom’s AGM is on June 23 and Minister Brown has indicated that affords her an opportunity to rotate the board.”
IFP national chairman Blessed Gwala said his party was surprised to learn of Ngubane’s resignation as it never imagined him being implicated in corrupt activities.
“We wish that he clears his name,” said Gwala.
The DA said Ngubane should also answer for the R30 million “golden handshake” promised to Molefe.
ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa said the law should take its course against anyone implicated in wrongdoing, “whether incumbent or not”.
“The allegation contained in some of the e-mails is quite damaging to the image of the utility and the state.
“So it does not matter that somebody has resigned, he must not be held accountable. Ngubane has some answers to give,” said Kodwa.