Johannesburg - Allegations of maladministration against Eskom's acting chief executive Collin Matjila have no bearing on his new job, the power utility said on Friday.
“We are confident that issues raised in the media are being dealt with by the relevant organisations Mr Matjila was involved in at the time,” Eskom board chairman Zola Tsotsi said in a statement.
“We believe that these allegations have no bearing on his current role at Eskom as the process is not yet complete.”
According to reports, a leaked forensic report by auditing firm SizweNtsalubaGobodo detailed Matjila's involvement in the selling of the old Congress of SA Trade Unions' building in central Johannesburg and the purchase of the new one.
The report is an investigation into Cosatu general secretary Zwelinzima Vavi's role in the purchasing of the new building housing the trade federation and the sale of the old one.
It implicated Matjila in the debacle.
According to the report Cosatu overpaid R6.3 million for the new building while the old one was undersold by at least R9m.
Matjila was chief executive of Kopano Ke Matla, Cosatu's investment arm, at the time of the sale.
Eskom said it had confidence in Matjila's ability to lead and manage the parastatal, and that Matjila had no aspirations for permanent appointment as chief executive.
“The process to appoint the new chief executive is at an advanced stage and a submission will be made to the new Minister of Public Enterprises (Lynne Brown) soon for her consideration,” said Tsotsi.
“It is appropriate to engage the minister on the appointment as appointing the chief executive is her prerogative.”
Matjila took over from Brian Dames, who stepped down in March.
Dames had worked for Eskom for 26 years and was appointed chief executive in July 2010. - Sapa