South Africa’s Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan has announced that Jabu Mabuza has been appointed as the acting CEO and the interim executive chairman of the South Africa’s utility company, Eskom.
Mabuza will serve at the head of the embattled national power utility for at least three months as Gordhan struggles to find a long-term solution for Eskom’s ongoing leadership crises.
Mabuza’s appointment follows the resignation of Phakamani Hadebe, whose tenure will end on 31 July.
Hadebe announced his resignation as CEO back in May, citing health reasons for his departure.
“I have informed the Eskom Annual General Meeting (AGM) this afternoon [Monday] of my decision to appoint Mabuza as the interim executive chairman for Eskom and acting CEO of Eskom Holdings,” Gordhan said in a statement.
“Mabuza will assume the duty as acting Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO) for Eskom due to the resignation of Hadebe, who leaves Eskom on 31 July 2019. Within the three month period during which Mabuza will be the Executive Chairman and Acting CEO, the Eskom board will conclude the process of identifying a suitable candidate to become the next Eskom GCEO,” added Gordhan.
Public enterprises spokesperson Adrian Lackay told EWN … “To ensure continuity and to ensure that the board is instructed to really go and embark on a process to find a suitable candidate for group CEO on a permanent basis for Eskom Holdings and to see what the market appetite is for that.”