Minister Lynne Brown responds to DA MP, Natasha Mazzone, 28 Sept

28 September 2015

 “I find it bizarre that the Democratic Alliance MP, Natasha Mazzone, is reading cadre deployment in the appointment of Brian Molefe as new Chief Executive of Eskom.

To quote from Ms Mazzone’s statement: “the politically useful Brian Molefe as Eskom’s permanent CEO is another unfortunate move to reward ANC loyalty ahead of actual ability.”

“I am perplexed that a person who has consistently called for stability at Eskom and who has been singing the same song for executive positions to be filled since March is now singing off key. She criticizes my appointments of the Chairperson, Dr. Ben Ngubane and Mr Molefe.

“Let me enlightened Ms Mazzone about some achievements since Mr Molefe became acting CE in April.

“We have had 50 days of constant supply to the grid, while there was only 2 hours of load shedding. Eskom lost 850MW of its 1 500MW from Cahora Bassa, while at the same time unit 2 at Koeberg is being refueled. Added together we had a shortage of 1 750MW for most of the more than a week in the first half of this month and still the country experienced only 2 hours of load shedding.

“Dr Ngubane has served the country in various capacities and he is credited with turning the Land Bank around when it was on its knees.

“Now they have formed a balanced team and together they have changed Eskom’s maintenance programme which was normally scheduled from October until May to a 12-month schedule. 

“They have succeeded to find the balance between continued maintenance and keeping the lights on. At the same time, they have increased plant stability.

“I appeal to Ms Mazzone to show patriotism. Give praise where praise is due. Unless she is walking with blinkers and only see the country from the perspective of Wale Street, in Cape Town,” said Minister Brown.

Statement issued by Lynne Brown, Minister of Public Enterprises, 28 September 2015