COSATU statement on Brian Molefe’s R 30 million handshake from Eskom
19 April 2017
COSATU has noted with deep concern Eskom’s R30 million golden handshake to Mr Brian Molefe , who is yet to clear his name regarding his alleged involvement in corruption, as highlighted by the State Capture report. He is yet to give answers about his involvement in the GUPTA’s contract with Eskom.
However, COSATU does not support selective outrage because the golden handshakes have been a feature in this country without much fanfare from the many people, who are now angry about the one awarded to Brian Molefe. COSATU has been consistently arguing against these obscene executive remunerations for a long time. We still remember that many people said little about one of the record golden handshakes, which was a payout of R232-million in 2001 to Coleman Andrews despite SAA incurring losses.
Some of the people complaining now , were happy to defend and explain away the obscene and vulgar amount of money that was paid to Shoprite’s CEO, Whitey Basson, who was paid over R100m in the year to June 30 2016. While Mr Basson was being rewarded with over R100m; many workers at Shoprite were experiencing a reduction in incomes, benefits and job security. There is no difference to what was paid to Brian Molefe and Whittey Basson, they are both overpaid and over praised individuals , who are taking credit for the work that has been performed my thousands of underpaid workers.
COSATU finds the whole thing unacceptable, whether it is done by the public or private sector. This is unacceptable because when workers are retrenched their severance pay is only limited to at least one week’s pay for each completed year of continuous service, provided that the worker does not unreasonably refuse other employment with the same employer or with another employer.