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Eskom chairman resigns amid worsening power shortages in S. Africa

Xinhua, March 31, 2015 Adjust font size:

Zola Tsotsi, Chairman of South Africa's power utility Eskom, stepped down on Tuesday amid worsening power shortages.

The Eskom Board accepted the resignation of Tsotsi after much deliberation, the utility said in a statement.

The Board and Tsotsi thereafter held a constructive discussion about charting a way forward for the power utility, the statement said.

"Following this discussion, Mr Tsotsi agreed to step down as a Director and Chairperson of the Board," said the statetment.

The statement gave no reason for Tsotsi's resignation but said Tsotsi agreed to "part ways amicably".

Speaking after the meeting, Tsotsi indicated that the board had unity of purpose and that his decision to step down was in the interest of the company and the country and was done in order to allow the board to focus on the core issues facing Eskom.

This step, the board believes, will ensure that the Eskom can focus on the challenges facing it and sets the company on a new path to regain the confidence of all stakeholders concerned in ensuring the important work of meeting the energy needs of the country.

Speaking on behalf of the board, Acting Chairperson Ben Ngubane thanked Tsotsi for the selfless decision he has taken in placing the interests of the company and the nation first.

Ngubane also thanked Tsotsi for his valuable service to Eskom over the years and wished him well in his future endeavours.

Eskom has been under fire for poor management that is blamed for the constant rolling blackouts that have gripped the country since November last year.

Earlier this month, Eskom's CEO Tshediso Matona and three other senior executives were suspended to allow for an inquiry into the operations of the utility. Endi