ANC dubs Eskom's Molefe move 'reckless and unfortunate'

Molefe resigned as an ANC Member of Parliament (MP) to return to the power utility, a mere three months after being sworn in.

Molefe left Eskom following the Public Protector's report into state capture, saying it was in the best interest of the power utility.

ANC spokesperson Zizi Kodwa says Molefe left Eskom under a cloud.

"The report, while still under review, made observations against Mr. Molefe which, at the time, he had deemed serious and significant enough to warrant his resignation. Amongst others, he cited the interests of the company, good corporate governance and the interest of the public, as underlying his departure from the utility," says Kodwa.

Molefe was named in the Public Protector's report as one of the officials with close ties to the controversial Gupta family.

"None of the observations against Mr. Molefe, so significant at the time, have been conclusively set aside and Mr. Molefe's own commitment to fully clear his name is still pending. The decision therefore to reinstate him in his former position without these matters being resolved is tone deaf to the South African public's absolute exasperation and anger at what seems to be government's lackluster and lackadaisical approach to dealing decisively with corruption -  perceived or real," says Kodwa.

Kodwa says the ANC engage Public Enterprises Minister Lynne Browne on the matter.