Maroga 'sues Eskom for R85m'

Johannesburg - The former chief executive of South Africa's electricity supplier Eskom has reportedly sued the organisation for R85m, the Sunday Times reported on Sunday.

Jacob Maroga apparently filed his papers with the South Gauteng High Court in Johannesburg, demanding compensation for, among others, "R14.5m for loss of income, R7m for other benefits and R45m for incentives".

Alternatively, Maroga would like to be reinstated to the chief executive's position, which he left in November 2009 after he apparently voluntarily resigned verbally. The court papers allege the Eskom board "conspired" to fire him "illegally".

In a board tiff that also claimed the position of former chairperson Bobby Godsell, Maroga was relieved of his duties as chief executive and replaced with the current acting chief executive and chairperson Mpho Makwana.

The news of Maroga's legal action comes at a time when Eskom's search for his replacement is at an advanced stage. Makwana told Fin24.com on Friday that Eskom was in the interviewing process and would make a statement late in February.

"We are busy with interviews for the chief executive's position," said Makwana. Refusing to divulge more information, Makwana said the organisation would make an announcement on the appointment after the National Energy Regulator SA (Nersa) has made a decision on Eskom's proposed tariff increases.

He would not be drawn on the profiles or number of candidates being interviewed.

Makwana was speaking to Fin24.com after the end of Nersa's public hearings into the proposed tariff hikes.

In closing arguments, Makwana implored Nersa to grant his organisation the 35% tariff increase in the interests of maintaining power supply. "If Eskom goes down, the whole country goes down," said Makwana.

Speaking in all of South Africa's main languages, Makwana said now was not the time for finger pointing as to who was responsible for the power supply crisis.

- Fin24.com