Johannesburg - Labour unions have reacted with shock following the reinstatement of Brian Molefe at the helm of Eskom following his sudden resignation last year.
The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) said on Friday that the instability at Eskom was contributing to weakening the organisation.
Eskom’s board took the decision this week, following its attempts to give Molefe a R30 million pay-out for early retirement.
That pay-out was stopped in its tracks by the Minster of Public Enterprises Lynne Brown.
The NUM said it was concerned because Molefe had left under a dark cloud after he was linked as a close friend and ally of the Gupta family in the Public Protector’s State of Capture report.
Molefe has resigned as a member of Parliament and will start work on Monday.
“The NUM would like Eskom to extend its new HR policy to its members and other employees who can exercise their right to resign or take early pension voluntarily and later return to their previous position without loss of benefits,” said the Num in a statement.
The union said it would consult with its National Executive Committee on the matter.
Meanwhile, the National Union Metalworkers of SA’s (Numsa) general secretary Irvin Jim said the union was considering legal action to stop Molefe’s reinstatement.