Business Chamber regrets Molefe's resignation, supports inquiry

Cape Town – The National African Federated Chamber of Commerce (Nafcoc) slammed the DA for planning to lay charges against Eskom CEO Brian Molefe, following his shock resignation. 

On Friday, Molefe unexpectedly issued a statement announcing that he intends to step down as Eskom boss with effect from 1 January 2017. 

READ: Full statement - Brian Molefe resigns

Molefe, who has been implicated in Former Public Protector Thuli Madonsela’s state capture report, emphasised in his statement that his decision to resign was not an admission of guilt or wrongdoing of any nature. 

The DA’s Natasha Mazzone subsequently issued a statement in which she said her party would be laying charges against Molefe in terms of the Public Finance Management Act (PFMA) and Prevention and Combatting of Corruption Act.

“It is suspicious that he has resigned after we began the process of getting him to come clean under oath in Parliament,” Mazzone, who had requested that Molefe tell the truth to Parliament about the nature of his relationship with the Guptas, said. 

READ: #StateCaptureReport: Madonsela nails Eskom over Gupta coal tender

She said the DA views Molefe’s resignation as the first step in recovering Eskom’s damaged integrity - an important step in the right direction before the sovereign ratings decision at the end of the year.

Nafcoc, however, views the DA’s action as “vindictive and vengeful”. “[These are] some neo-apartheid political parties and detractors who are calling for criminalisation of Mr Molefe before a properly constituted investigation,” the Chamber said in a statement. 

“We believe these elements are motivated more by perpetuating the narrative of black failure and incompetence rather than a commitment to reconstruction and transformation.” 

Nafcoc said although it was saddened by Molefe’s resignation his decision must be respected as being “in the best interest of the institution (Eskom). 

“In this respect Mr Molefe decision should applauded as courageous and principled. He has distinguished himself both as a champion and activist of black economic empowerment during his tenure at the Public Investment Corporation (PIC),” Nafcoc said. 

READ: Lynne Brown 'sad' to see Molefe go 

“After that he proved himself as an effective leader at the helm of Transnet and succeeded in putting to rest the myth that blacks are incapable of managing the multi- billion organizations and still succeed.” 

Although his departure at Eskom is “certainly regrettable”, Nafcoc said the suggestions of impropriety and profligacy in Eskom’s procurement and supply chain processes are deeply concerning. 

“We support the view of an independent and sufficiently scoped inquiry should be instituted to investigate these allegations and concerns.”