Unions respond to Mabuza resignation: ‘Thanks for going, and thanks for nothing’
Trade unions have described the resignation of Eskom chairperson Jabu Mabuza as “overdue”.
Mabuza resigned on Friday, citing the power utility's inability to keep the lights on.
In December, the Eskom board vowed that there would be no rolling blackouts until January 13, a promise repeated by President Cyril Ramaphosa.
However, the dreaded blackouts returned two days into the new year, leading to accusations that the board misled the president on its ability to keep the lights on.
Congress of South African Trade Unions (Cosatu) president Zingiswa Losi says workers have been calling for the resignation of Mabuza since last year.
“We are saying to the rest of the board: do the honourable thing and tender your resignation and follow suit,” says Losi.
The National Union of Mineworkers’ (NUM) General Secretary, David Sipunzi says Mabuza’s tenure saw the implementation of unprecedented stage 6 load shedding in December.
He adds Mabuza should have been removed a long time ago, since he failed on his promise that there will be no more power cuts.
“Thanks for going, and thanks for nothing,” says Sipunzi.