Molefe already roped in public speaking engagements

Johannesburg – Returning Eskom CEO Brian Molefe has already been roped into public speaking engagements, despite backlash from several organisations.

Fin24 reported on Friday that Molefe was reinstated as chief executive of the power utility. This follows the Eskom board’s decision to rescind Molefe’s application for early retirement in November 2016.

Following his first day back on the job on Monday, Molefe will address a conference next week.

Organisers of African Utility Week sent out a statement indicating Molefe will deliver the welcome address of the conference and expo on Tuesday. This is touted to be one of Molefe’s first public appearances since returning to the power utility.

The conference will host over 7 000 energy and water experts from over 80 countries, in Cape Town. Other speakers include Eskom board chairperson Ben Ngubane and Public Enterprise Minister Lynne Brown. The conference will focus on addressing challenges and opportunities in power and water sectors.

READ: Corruption Watch, OUTA write letters challenging Molefe's return

Molefe’s reinstatement has been met with criticism from several organisations.

The ANC had called Eskom’s decision "unfortunate and reckless”, Bloomberg reported. The Democratic Alliance had subsequently indicated it would write to the to the Parliamentary Enterprises committee, requesting them to investigate the reappointment.

The CEO Initiative and Business Unity South Africa (BUSA) have both highlighted the negative impact the decision will have on investor confidence. 

Organisations Corruption Watch and the Organisation Undoing Tax Abuse (OUTA) had written to Brown asking for an explanation for Molefe’s reappointment.

Corruption Watch particularly is considering having Molefe, as well as the rest of the Eskom board to be declared delinquent in order to drive them out of public institutions.

OUTA believes Molefe’s reinstatement was illegal, wants the minister to submit proof that the correct procedures were followed for his reappointment.

The minister however explained that Molefe’s reappointment was better than a proposed R30m pension pay-out Molefe was to receive. Brown was addressing media at Parliament on Friday.

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“In terms of the Eskom board's proposal Mr Molefe agreed to serve out the remainder of his original contract and to reconsider his contract I objected to,'' said Brown. ''The board's proposal I believe is a better value proposition for the SA fiscus than the previous proposal.”

Brown previously explained that the R30m could not be viewed as a performance package as he was already paid out a performance bonus for his work in helping to turnaround Eskom.