Telkom CEO resignation not a surprise

The resignation of Ms Pinky Moholi comes as no surprise although it is regrettable that the fifth CEO in seven years has now left the company.

Together with the resignation of Board Chairman Lazarus Zim recently and of the newly appointed Ms Neo Phakama Dongwana it is indicative of the immense frustration with government's political meddling in Telkom and comes in the wake of the company's general meeting where four directors were booted out by government.

Instead of giving the Executive the space to drive the company's business strategy within a highly competitive industry, government as majority shareholder is not prepared to release its political stranglehold, which makes it directly responsible for the company's deteriorating results.

This creates the distinct impression that it is part of the ANC's political strategy to nationalise Telkom.

COPE rejects this tendency out of hand and calls on government to stop their short-sighted political manipulation - Telkom's infrastructure and national footprint is a national asset which should be managed by professional experts for the benefit of all South Africans - not for the benefit a few political connected friends of the Zuma government who could take advantage if the company is nationalised.

Statement issued by Juli Kilian: COPE Spokesperson on Communications, November 5 2012

Click here to sign up to receive our free daily headline email newsletter