Motlanthe bemoans ‘absence of ethical‚ moral and just leaders’ in SA

Former president Kgalema Motlanthe has criticised leaders who exploit the country’s state-owned entities for their own personal benefit, saying the scandals surrounding power utility Eskom show the extent to which public resources are being abused.

Speaking in Johannesburg at the launch of social justice organisation, Oxfam South Africa, on Thursday, Motlanthe referred to the “shenanigans” at Eskom involving its board decision to reappoint Brain Molefe as CEO and the alleged “capture” of the company by the controversial Gupta family, President Jacob Zuma’s close associates, TimesLIVE reported.

“Eskom is the biggest industrial company on the continent. Transnet is the second biggest industrial company on the continent. They are owned by the public‚ but if you refer to recent shenanigans at Eskom‚ you will see a resource that is not being used for the benefit of the people.

“There are people there who expect to be praised for keeping the lights on when that is their only responsibility,” Motlanthe was quoted as saying.

The former statesman said state enterprises such as Eskom should use it’s  resources into programmes that would stimulate job creation in the country and advance the interests of the poor. He said there should be public participation in the election and appointment of board members and senior staff in parastatals as well.

Motlanthe bemoaned “the absence of ethical‚ moral and just leaders” in SA, saying leaders were no longer accountable to the people.

“They have taken up office and fallen into incumbency‚ forgetting they are accountable to the people who put them there. This must be spoken about frankly. We find ourselves in a time where open and robust national discourse is in deficit.

“South Africans find themselves laying their heads to rest at night and wondering what changes they will face then they wake in the morning,” he said.

Motlanthe congratulated Oxfam’s work in promoting inclusive growth and human-centred economies. The event coincided with Africa Day celebrations.

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