Pretoria - Eskom is on solid ground with government committed to deliver on its mandate of providing a reliable electricity service to the country, says Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown.
On Tuesday, under the leadership of Deputy President Cyril Ramaphosa and with the help of Energy Minister Tina Joemat-Pettersson, the renewal of the short-term power purchase contract that will supply at least 827MW to the system was signed.
“Given the tight electricity supply, the renewal of the co-generation was essential to ensure that this 827MW was retained in the system,” said the Minister on Wednesday.
Additionally, the Minister said she received the resignation letter of Zola Tsotsi as chairperson and non-executive director from the Eskom board.
“Subsequently, the board has independently recommended that Dr. Ben Ngubane be appointed as acting chairperson. In response, I have decided to support the board’s recommendation and have appointed Dr. Ngubane as interim chairperson with effect from 31 March 2015,” she said.
Minister Brown will over the next few weeks undertake a consultative process to appoint a permanent chairperson and will communicate progress in due course.
“It is my firm view that the board and the shareholder continue to act in the best interest of the company and the people of South Africa to preserve the value and integrity of the company.
“As shareholder representative, I remain guided by the provisions of Eskom’s legal framework, which includes the Companies Act and the Memorandum of Incorporation, in carrying out my duties and responsibilities to the company,” explained Minister Brown. - SAnews.gov.za
