ESKOM chairman, Ben Ngubane, today described former head of South Africa’s Public Protector office, Thuli Madonsela, of having “an unduly believing mind” in compiling her report published yesterday regarding state capture.
In the report, the Public Protector said Eskom’s board was, either directly or indirectly, connected by business to the Gupta family and identified Eskom CEO, Brian Molefe, as having “a cozy relationship” with the Guptas
It also said that Eskom had prejudiced Glencore by forcing Optimum Coal Mine, which it then owned, into business rescue proceedings and then providing Gupta company Tegeta Exploration & Resources with R600m to help it buy the mine.
“In compiling her report, it is clear to the Eskom board that an unduly believing mind led to speculative accusations against Eskom without completing her investigation,” said Ngubane in introductory remarks to Eskom’s interim results presentation in Sandton today.
“No-one should be allowed to take down the country on the basis of speculation. I think we are on a slippery slope,” he said, adding that it was “ridiculous” to call for the dissolution of the Eskom board.
“This speculation now in the Public Protector’s report is extremely worrying,” he said. “We will hear more about this tomorrow,” said Ngubane. A press conference to hear questions on the claims laid in the Public Protector’s report has been arranged for tomorrow (November 4) at 10am.
