CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA MAY 30: Eskom chairman Ben Ngubane and the power utilitys CEO Brian Molefe during a meeting with Parliaments Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) on May 30, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. The Eskom delegation appeared before Scopa to explain how coal contracts were awarded to the Gupta-linked Tegeta company. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Esa Alexander)
You can quit, but you can’t hide. Former Eskom chair’s troubles have only just begun
Ben Ngubane had better lawyer-up, because this time there won’t be a minister to shield him.
CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA MAY 30: Eskom chairman Ben Ngubane and the power utilitys CEO Brian Molefe during a meeting with Parliaments Standing Committee on Public Accounts (SCOPA) on May 30, 2017 in Cape Town, South Africa. The Eskom delegation appeared before Scopa to explain how coal contracts were awarded to the Gupta-linked Tegeta company. (Photo by Gallo Images / Sowetan / Esa Alexander)
After a string of accusations placed Ben Ngubane squarely in the midst of the Guptas’ alleged capture of the South African state, the now-former chairperson decided to hit the road, no doubt in an attempt to slip under the radar.
Ngubane denies that his resignation — which came just as the laundry list of corruption he’s reportedly connected with started circulating publicly — has anything to do with claims that, among other things, he helped the Guptas get their hands on a coal mine supplying one of Eskom’s obsolete coal power plants… at a cost of billions.
Read: Molefe had a hand in ‘helping’ the Guptas get their own mine, contracts with Eskom. Report
Since his resignation, the National Union of Mineworkers (NUMSA) and Federation of Unions of South Africa (FEDUSA) have both made it clear that oll’ Ben is far from a free man.
“We call for an independent investigation into tenders awarded during his tenure‚ and that where necessary‚ heads must roll‚” NUMSA said in a statement.
According to TimesLive, FEDUSA has called for a judicial inquiry into Ngubane’s actions contributing to “ the mismanagement of the state power utility during his tenure of office,” adding that it would be a “travesty of justice to let Ngubane get off the hook so lightly.”
“Ngubane must be held accountable before an independent judicial commission of inquiry. This is in accordance with our 6th National Congress in November last year which resolved that directors found guilty of mismanaging resources on their watch should face the full might of our company laws‚” FEDUSA’s Riefdah Ajam said.
Ngubane meanwhile denies that his most convenient departure from the embattled power utility has anything to do with the mounting charges against him.
“I have been in parliament many times‚ where I have been humiliated‚ cursed and degraded and I survived. Why should I fear something like this inquiry?”
Related: Winter is here, and Eskom is pushing for a 20% electricity price hike
