THE ANC YL REJECTS ESKOM BOARD'S ATTEMPTS TO PUSH JACOB MAROGA OUT OF ESKOM:

The African National Congress Youth League is disgusted by ESKOM Board's attempts to remove Jacob Maroga as its Chief Executive Officer. The Board, which is under the manipulative control of Bobby Godsell, has tried every trick in the book to get rid of Maroga, including through increment of his salary amidst electricity challenges, so that the South African public can perceive him as greedy. They are now spreading a rumour that Maroga has resigned as Chief Executive Officer of ESKOM and that is a complete lie. JACOB MAROGA HAS NOT RESIGNED AS CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF ESKOM AND WILL NOT RESIGN, EVEN UNDER THE UNDUE PRESSURE OF BOBBY GODSELL AND COMPANY.

The government of South Africa has under President Thabo Mbeki accepted blame for the massive challenges in ESKOM and energy distribution in the country. Blaming Maroga and getting rid of him is driven by the narrow interests of white businessmen whose intention to use ESKOM for their individual benefit. ESKOM as a State Owned Enterprise should be a beacon of transformation, not a sight of business factions' battles.

The ANC YL will never agree to the victimisation of Jacob Maroga; and will do everything to stop Bobby Godsell's hideous attempts to undermine African leadership in the economy. The time of treating black people and Africans in particular as subjects, who can be fired as and when the white master wishes is over and Bobby Godsell should appreciate that we are in a democratic State with principles. The ANC YL will mobilise ESKOM workers against Godsell's decision to push Maroga out of ESKOM, and illustrate to him that our democratic principles and transformation programme can never be undermined.

Statement issued by the African National Congress Youth League, November 5 2009

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