Koko: More of the same, recycling an "improperly appointed" board

30 November 2016

The DA notes with concern that Minister Lynne Brown has approved the appointment, as recommended by the Eskom board, of Mr Koko with immediate effect.

The Public Protector's State of Capture report states that the board was "improperly appointed".

It is therefore cause for concern that the board is simply recycling current members and introducing no "new blood" into the structure.

It is hardly surprising that Mr Koko becomes the successor to Mr Molefe as both have been outspoken regarding the Nuclear project and both are fully supportive of Eskom taking charge of the Nuclear build program.

In last weeks business day piece, Koko distorted facts and changed his tune about the benefits of the Renewable Energy Independent Power Producer Programme (REIPPP), this was nothing short of a poor attempt to convince the South African public that nuclear energy is the most rational choice for our country.

At a time when Minister Brown should be introducing fresh, untainted and independent leadership to the highly controversial entity, she is simply reinforcing concerns of personal interests within the board.

The only chance Eskom has of proving its political independence to the South African people and proving that it is not a captured entity is a complete change in leadership by a politically neutral, independent board made up of specialists in the field and not deployed cadres.

Issued by Natasha Mazzone, DA Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises, 30 November 2016