South African billionaire Patrice Motsepe on Monday denied allegations that his energy company stands to benefit from Eskom’s unbundling due to his proximity to the country’s president and energy minister.
Motsepe is brother-in-law of both President Cyril Ramaphosa and Jeff Radebe.
Political parties and trade unions believe he stands to benefit in the unbundling of the troubled power utility by buying one of the three entities that will be separated through his African Rainbow Energy and Power (AREP).
Motsepe said “having relatives in very high positions in government justifiably raises perception of favouritism or improper conduct” in the context of the renewable energy independent power producers programme.
He said that AREP struggled to acquire six solar photovoltaics projects awarded by the Department of Energy to an American company, SunEdison, to generate 398MW of renewable energy, until it was appointed as a BEE partner and committed R139 million of its money.
Motsepe said he did not support the privatisation of the power utility.
“I have over the years reiterated my support of the developmental role that Eskom has to play and to provide affordable electricity to all South Africans and, in particular, to the poor, unemployed and marginalised,” Motsepe said.
“I, however, have never supported the privatisation of Eskom or the sale of any of its entities or assets. AREP or any company that I am associated with will, therefore, not participate in any sale of any entities or assets of Eskom.”
ANA