The African National Congress’s (ANC) national executive committee did not debate events surrounding Jacob Maroga’s apparent resignation as chief executive officer of Eskom when it met over the weekend, secretary general Gwede Mantashe said on Monday.
”Jacob Maroga was not debated by the NEC because we did not feel that issue should be debated by the NEC,” Mantashe said.
The NEC did, however, talk about the power utility and, said Mantashe, ”If there is a leadership fight in that sector there will be problems.”
”If you are appointed the leader of an institution, then you have the responsibility of making the institution work well.”
The NEC also discussed Eskom’s proposed tariff increase saying it should go back for more options.
Meanwhile, there was still no clarity on Maroga’s position and why he was back in his office on Monday.
Last week, Eskom chairperson Bobby Godsell said Maroga had resigned with immediate effect, but the ANC Youth League and the Black Management Forum (BMF) did not accept this, insisting he had not.
An aide at the company said he was there and could not immediately take a call as he was on the line with someone else.
BMF managing director Gaba Tabane had earlier advised phoning Maroga’s office at 9.30am, insisting there was no resignation.
Asked if Maroga would be at work, Tabane said: ”Well, I hope he will.”
The BMF echo the sentiments of people who believe Maroga’s woes are related to race.
Eskom’s media desk did not immediately reply to an email and spokesperson Andrew Etzinger said he had no knowledge of new developments.
Online media commentary suggested that Maroga would wait for ”the right golden handshake”, according to one note posted on Timeslive.
Another, on News24 wrote: ”Like it or not Maroga is still CEO. if you can’t deal with it then relocate to Aus or Eng where you belong”. — Sapa