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Parliament slams Eskom board

Nov 06 2009 08:44

Cape Town - The Eskom board has the habit of "running amok" in critical moments, Vytjie Mentor, the chairperson of Parliament's portfolio committee on public enterprises said on Friday.

This was in reaction to reports that Eskom CEO Jacob Maroga had resigned (a Fin24.com report says that Maroga is not officially out of the picture, as he is yet to sign severance papers).

"When it is critical moments like this, the board runs amok with the issues without considering a whole lot of issues," Mentor said in an interview on SAfm.

She could not confirm whether Maroga had resigned, as Eskom chairman Bobby Godsell announced to staff on Thursday.

Shortly after that, the African National Congress Youth League said Maroga had not resigned.

Maroga is yet to comment.

"We need to be shown proof that he has resigned... there has been conflicting reports which insist that he has not resigned," said Mentor.

"We are told it's the board [who is behind his reported resignation]. What is the role of the shareholder in this saga?," asked Mentor.

She said she heard the news through the opposition Democratic Alliance.

"This is not [good] for the confidence of the country... for the utility itself. It is coming at the wrong time and the question I want to add... is what role is the board playing?

"Is it management only that must be blamed?"

Mentor said, two weeks ago, when Eskom's annual report was presented, there was no talk of unhappiness with Maroga's performance.

"The board and the management appeared two weeks ago before parliament... in that annual report Mr Maroga has received R2 million additionally to his salary.

"There was no indication that they were not happy with his performance."

The board needed to take some responsibility in the performance of the CEO.

"If the board is not performing... the board has to answer," she said.

Maroga was at Eskom's helm in turbulent times, including rolling black-outs in 2008 and, more recently, a request for 45% tariff hikes every year for the next three years.

- Sapa

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elbie
Nov 06 2009 15:21 Report this comment

"If the board is not performing... the board has to answer," – Seems rather like someone (hear JZ, Hogan, Malema, Parly et al) does not give the board ROOM TO PERFORM. Someone’s foot is on the brake, and surely does not, at this point, look like the board!

pete
Nov 06 2009 13:55 Report this comment

%$#@ its like Titanic captain resigning when ship hits bottom

Patrick M
Nov 06 2009 13:25 Report this comment

@SOUTH AFRICANS, I see a society that is too passive when it comes to real issues like crime and economy. Anyday i'm ready to toy-toy (4 the first time) for the non-acceptance of a 45%/year hike in electricity crisis. We can't allow few individuals (ESKOM) to harm our economy just like that.

CTheB
Nov 06 2009 12:57 Report this comment

The board is only responsible insofar as it does not see to the replacing of non-performing managers. The board does not manage the day-to-day running of the company. If the company is being mismanaged management must be the first to get the axe, not the board unless it can be shown that the board is actually to blame. Does Mentor not know how companies work, or is she hoping no one else does?

EH
Nov 06 2009 12:09 Report this comment

Of course Maroga should resign or be fired. To all the union members out there, that is why they get such big salaries.... because they are / should be accountable. They dont have protected employment As for Vytjie Mentor, its not the board that is running amok, it is the ANC trying to impose their political will again. They did it in the past which resulted in the mess that Eskom is in now. Keep politics out of business because politicians are asses & dont know anything about business

San
Nov 06 2009 10:55 Report this comment

Who will they find to replace Maroga - Personally I think it is too late to fix the Eskom problem - I dont' think it matters who they appoint - that person will not be able to do any wonders now - without tariff increases eskom cannot bulid more capacity - so I say leave it as is - dont build more capacity. I rather live with power shortages than have a 300% over 3 years

Martin
Nov 06 2009 10:53 Report this comment

Just reading through some of the comments - its scary how many stupid people there are in this country! Why don't people think first before they write some of this garbage. (not directed at everyone, and unfortunately those that it is directed at won't know or don't care)

game
Nov 06 2009 10:47 Report this comment

It's a bit rich that parliament are sticking their noses into the ESKOM saga. There isnt a demonstratable culture of capability, knowledge, skill, performance, honesty or delivery within the SA GOVT!


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