Minister Pravin Gordhan on restructuring of state-owned companies

14 August 2023

The Minister of Public Enterprises Mr. Pravin Gordhan has slammed ongoing deliberate distortions of the truth about Eskom’s restructuring by vested interests who seek to tarnish his name and undermine the work of government and the Department of Public Enterprises (DPE) in restructuring state-owned companies (SOCs).

Minister Gordhan said those looking for the truth ought to read the statement that the DPE issued last week to correct false assertions about Eskom’s restructuring, about which some elements have chosen to peddle lies. The statement also reiterated that Eskom’s three newly formed subsidiaries will remain 100 percent owned by the State.

The latest attacks from Collen Malatji (from whom the Minister has demanded a public apology for his ill-considered statement) and from counter revolutionaries and other discredited characters, underscore the fact that the public ought to know that there are vested interests intent on crippling ongoing reform of SOCs to the detriment of millions of South Africans.

Minister Gordhan said he will be meeting with the ANC Youth League shortly.

He said government and the DPE will not be deterred in their work to revitalize SOCs, root out corruption, and ensure that they can deliver on their mandate to transform and develop the South African economy.

“We have not solved the problem of corruption. What we are doing in respect of restoring SOCs to functionality is about serving current and future generations,” Minister Gordhan said.

“The latest misinformation is further evidence that there is a concerted campaign involving people with vested interests, who only care about lining their pockets, and are intent on sowing confusion,” Minister Gordhan said.

“This campaign of misinformation and deliberate distortions, just like many others before it, is going to fail. Our focus is on executing on our mandate to ensure that SOCs deliver on key national strategic objectives including transforming and revitalizing our economy against all odds,” added Minister Gordhan.

Issued by Ellis Mnyandu, DPE Spokesperson, 15 August 2023