The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) rejects the appointment of Jabu Mabuza as both the Executive Chairperson and Acting CEO of Eskom. This foolhardy and mischevious appointment is going to blur the lines of accountability and give unlimited powers to a person with a history of destroying workers livelihoods at Telkom.

The Federation has previously complained about the recycling of leadership in government departments and in the State-Owned-Entities. This latest appointment shows not only a dearth of leadership in the state but signifies a reversal of the fight against State Capture and Corruption.

A power utility that remains not only a burden to taxpayers but a threat to the economy cannot be allowed to engage in cronyism, lack of transparency and mediocrity. Jabu Mabuza has done nothing in the last eighteen months to earn the trust and confidence of the workers and South Africans at Eskom and  his appointment is cronyism of the worst kind.

Under his tenure, we have seen no solid and coherent plan to turn the power utility around, or manage the escalating debt levels and eradicate corruption.  We are yet to see a comprehensive forensic audit of Eskom’s legendarily corrupt contracts.

We demand the immediate reversal of this decision and for a new and competent Board and CEO to be appointed to lead and fix the power utility. This recycling of mediocre people in the SOE’s is the reason why they are collapsing.

Issued by COSATU

Sizwe Pamla (Cosatu National Spokesperson)

Tel: 011 339 4911
Fax: 011 339 5080
Cell: 060 975 6794