Eskom places former CEO Sean Maritz on permanent suspension

Eskom former Chief Information Officer and former acting CEO Sean Maritz has been permanently suspended, the power utility announced.

Eskom spokesperson Khulu Phasiwe announced this afternoon that Maritz’s temporary suspension had been converted into a permanent one, pending an investigation into allegations of impropriety.

NOTICE: Eskom's Chief Information Officer, Mr Sean Maritz, has been suspended pending an investigation into allegations of impropriety. He was placed on temporary suspension last Friday, which has now been converted into a permanent suspension.

— Khulu Phasiwe (@KhuluPhasiwe) January 31, 2018

In October last year, Eskom demanded McKinsey and Gupta-linked company Trillian to pay back R1.6 billion that was paid out to the power producer. This was speculated to be a strategic move in order for Eskom not to be implicated in the unlawful payments.

In January, Maritz wrote to McKinsey in an attempt to make the payments valid, according to Business Day. “Business Day has seen emails outlining Eskom’s new position written earlier in January by then acting CEO Sean Maritz to McKinsey, shortly before he was replaced by Phakamani Hadebe.”

In addition, Maritz hired his friend and fellow church member without declaring their friendship, for which he reportedly received a warning.

The suspension has, however, prompted some confusion, particularly what is meant by permanent suspension.

Maritz’s permanent suspension raised some questions on social media.

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