Eskom decapitated
by George Annandale
2009-11-05 13:01
Barbara Hogan told Parliament - paving the way I'm sure, for Jacob Zuma to save Jacob Maroga's hide - the woes of Eskom cannot be totally attributed to Maroga.
Is Hogan implying that nobody should ever be sanctioned because there is always someone else that contributed to the failure? The actions of the ANC government certainly bear evidence of such beliefs, if only on selective basis.
Examples where leaders were not held accountable, contrary to the head honcho's assurances that incompetence will not be tolerated, are legion and we see almost daily reports of underperformers being rewarded for their efforts. The names of prominent cronies and clients spring to mind; Radebe, Mshuwana, Ramokgopa, Xingwana, Nkgacula, Mdladana - the list goes on.
Hogan's contention that Maroga is not solely responsible for Eskom is however not devoid of truth. Major contributors to the disaster, Jeff Radebe, Alec Irwin, Sonjica and high flying Crane inspector Phumzile Mlambo-Ngucka all contributed to the disaster that is Eskom.
Perhaps Hogan, under pressure from the "Friends of Jeff Society", feels that rather than being repudiated and forced into another public apology, she will follow the path of least resistance and get someone else to make the decision whilst she paves the way for all the alternatives and eventualities.
Despite this, one fact remains, Maroga is the leader and his leadership has been anything but inspirational. Instead of inspiring confidence, he has contributed largely in driving the organisation and country closer to the precipice in the process destroying investor confidence.
His recent list of achievements ironically is a presentation by the Acting Director of Human Resources of Eskom's on their benchmark performance in the field of the Development of Human Capital - rich coming from an demoralised and directionless organisation without an HR Director or CFO.
Rumours of Zuma's intervention, hot on the heels of the Malema's calls for Maroga to be protected, are rife. Coincidence? I doubt it.
Should the pro-Maroga faction run into problems they still have the formidable clown, Jimmy Manyi waiting in the wings to support this giant of transformation.
Whatever happens and in true ANC government style, Maroga, will be well rewarded. I suspect he will, R15m later, resign, happy and content with Manyi shouting foul.
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