Eskom CEO Brian Molefe has announced that he will be voluntarily stepping down from the position at the end of 2016, in the wake of allegations contained in the Public Protector report into alleged state capture.
In a statement issued on Friday 11 November, Molefe maintains that the report did not make any findings, and any observations contained in the report relating to his conduct are inaccurate.
However, the harm to his and Eskom’s reputation has been done.
“I am confident that, when the time comes, I will be able to show that I have done nothing wrong and that my name will be cleared.”
“I shall dedicate myself to showing that an injustice has been done by the precipitate delivery of ‘observations’, following an incomplete investigation, which the former Public Protector has drawn back from calling ‘findings’. The truth will out,” the statement read.
Molefe said that in the interests of ‘good corporate governance’ he has decided to leave Eskom effective 1 January 2017.
“I will take time off to reflect before I decide on my next career move,” he said.
He reiterated that him stepping down was not an admission of guilt or wrongdoing, but rather the correct thing to do in the interests of the company.
The Public Protector report into state capture implicated Molefe and Eskom in apparent corrupt behaviour in pre-paying Gupta-linked mining company, Tegeta Exploration, almost R1 billion for coal.
The money paid by Eskom was used to buy Optimum coal mines from Glencore – a company which was allegedly bullied into selling the mine, by a Eskom not allowing it to renegotiate coal contracts, which were forcing Optimum to run at a loss.
Molefe was implicated in the matter, with call record showing 58 calls between Molefe and Ajay Guptas during the period. Molefe has admitted that he is a very good friend of the Gutpas.
Molefe maintains that the Public Protector never afforded him an opportunity to give his version of events.
