Cape Town - President Jacob Zuma’s office on Monday rejected reports that he had backed embattled Eskom chairman Zola Tsotsi in setting up an inquiry into the troubles at the cash-strapped electricity utility.
“The Presidency has noted with great concern the comments attributed to the Chairperson of the Board of Eskom, Mr Zola Tsotsi in the Mail and Guardian newspaper on Friday 27 March 2015,” Zuma’s office said in a statement.
“The chairperson reportedly said he understood a comment from President Jacob Zuma during a casual conversation he had with him at a social function that he should do what he had to do at Eskom, as a directive.”
Zuma’s office insisted the President does not have any direct dealings with State Owned companies.
“It should be noted that there are clear channels of communication between State Owned Companies and government, and that is through the shareholder, and in the case of Eskom that is Minister of Public Enterprises, Ms Lynne Brown,” the statement said.
“It is the Minister who will decide if a matter needs the attention of the President or not, and will brief him accordingly. Any instructions to the Board will come from the Minister if need be, and not the President.
The President has thus not issued any directive to the Chairperson of Eskom.”
On Friday, the Mail and Guardian reported Tsotsi had told Zuma about his intention to set up an inquiry during an interaction at a social gathering. Tsotsi reportedly told the M&G: “The president was very clear that if I think it is the right thing to do, then I must do it.”
Tsotsi faces a vote of no confidence by fellow Eskom board members who are opposed to the inquiry.
Tsotsi announced the inquiry on March 12, along with the suspension of four top Eskom executives, including its Chief Executive Tshediso Matona.
African News Agency