Parliamentary committee ‘concerned’ at Eskom suspensions

Parliament's public enterprises portfolio committee is concerned at the suspension of four top Eskom executives, it said on Friday.

"We register our concern regarding the stability and governance of the power utility, considering the current energy challenges facing the country," committee chairwoman Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba said in a statement.

On Thursday, Eskom chairman Zola Tsotsi said the four executives, including chief executive Tshediso Matona, had been asked to step aside as the power utility embarked on a fact-finding inquiry.

The other three are finance director Tsholofelo Molefe, group capital executive Dan Morokane, and commercial and technology executive Matshela Koko.

Non-executive board member Zethembe Khoza would become interim chief executive.

Letsatsi-Duba said her committee needed a "comprehensive briefing" from Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Brown and the Eskom board regarding the suspensions and the investigation to be conducted.

"As Eskom's oversight body, it's important to be briefed on the latest developments on what is happening within the power utility and not be informed through media reports."