Minister Gordhan Rebuts Alleged Intervention in Eskom's New CEO Appointment

In a recent discussion with City Press sister publication, Rapport, South African Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan, discredited last week's reports that suggested he had dismissed candidates proposed to him by the Eskom board.

The board of the state-owned electricity utility, Eskom, had completed an extensive global search for the new CEO. Last week, initial statements from Eskom stated that the board had shortlisted a preferred candidate, along with two others in the run, and submitted their names to Minister Gordhan for approval.

However, within a span of two hours, Eskom issued a "correction," indicating a revision in the initial communication. The amendment stated that the board had presented only one candidate's name to the minister, contradicting their previous claim.

Minister Gordhan firmly responded to these allegations, stating unequivocally that the reports suggesting he had refused these global candidates were unfounded. The minister's denial diffuses speculative tensions regarding governmental intervention in Eskom's executive-level appointments.

Eskom has not yet released further statements regarding this matter, leaving the name of the proposed candidate undisclosed.