State owned companies must use communication channels

Monday, March 30, 2015

Pretoria - State owned companies must use correct channels of communication, the Presidency said on Monday.

This as the Presidency has noted with great concern the comments attributed to the chairman of the Eskom board Zola Tsotsi in the Mail and Guardian newspaper on Friday.

The chairperson reportedly said he understood a comment from President Jacob Zuma during a casual conversation he had with him at a social function that he should do what he had to do at Eskom, as a directive.

“It should be noted that there are clear channels of communication between state owned companies and government, and that is through the shareholder, and in the case of Eskom that is Minister of Public Enterprises, Lynne Brown.

“It is the Minister who will decide if a matter needs the attention of the President or not, and will brief him accordingly.  Any instructions to the Board will come from the Minister if need be, and not the President.

“The President has thus not issued any directive to the Chairperson of Eskom,” said the Presidency. - SAnews.gov.za