DURBAN - PRESSURE continues to mount on government to fire Eskom management for plunging the country into darkness through consistent load shedding.
The Professionals’ League (PL), which is made up of various professionals under the ANC, has also weighed in and joined other organisations in calling for heads to roll at the parastatal.
This after rolling blackouts which were threatening to collapse the economy began on Monday with the introduction of stage 4.
On Thursday the PL wrote to both Mineral Resources and Energy portfolio committee chairperson Sahlulele “Zet” Luzipo and Public Enterprises portfolio chairperson Khaya Magaxa as well as Eskom board chairperson professor Malekgapuru Makgoba.
In the letter penned by the league’s secretary, Thulani Ngubane, that was seen by the Daily News, the PL urged the three to assume their basic oversight responsibility to hold the Eskom executive, particularly its CEO, Andre de Ruyter, and COO, Mr Jan Oberholzer, accountable for the endless load shedding.
The league said load shedding was not only affecting the economy but also examination preparations for matriculants and grossly frustrating daily life of South Africans.
It further said it believed that De Ruyter and Oberholzer had had ample time, but had dismally failed to provide any indication that they had an ounce of competency to run Eskom and guarantee stable electricity supply to the nation.
Furthermore, the league called on Parliament to establish a committee that would investigate whether the De Ruyter and Oberholzer were fit to hold their positions at Eskom.
“The Professionals’ League strongly holds the view that both Mr de Ruyter and Mr Oberholzer have repeatedly shown that their primary focus is not on fixing Eskom challenges but rather have dedicated their time to blaming previous executives and are committed to pass the bulk of the responsibility of producing and guaranteeing electricity to the country to Independent Power Producers (IPPs),” said the league.
It said since it had been proven that De Ruyter had no plan, the PL believed he and Oberholzer should be relieved of their duties with immediate effect.
An Eskom spokesperson has previously said management was appointed by the board, which was appointed by government.
De Ruyter dismissed calls for his resignation, saying he had no intention of quitting of his own accord.
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