S.African Eskom's board insists CEO had quit

By Agnieszka Flak

JOHANNESBURG (Reuters) - The board of South African power utility Eskom insisted on Wednesday that chief executive Jacob Maroga has resigned despite his denial, raising more questions about the leadership wrangle at the firm.

Maroga, who quit last week, returned to work on Monday after apparently winning out in a power struggle with chairman Bobby Godsell, who resigned the same day.

But spokesman Andrew Etzinger said Maroga has not been back to his office since Tuesday, adding that the board has not changed its stance on the chief executive's resignation.

"The board is of the view that Jacob offered his resignation, that they had accepted it and that he is no longer the chief executive ... that's been their position since October 28th," he said.

Maroga's tenure has been marked by power shortages, a record loss of 9.7 billion rand in the year to March and electricity price rises criticised for stoking inflation as South Africa battles recession.

The leadership battle could further unnerve mining firms and foreign investors, uncertain whether Eskom will be able to supply enough power to run their operations after a low reserve margin brought the national grid to a near halt early last year.

Godsell resigned saying the government failed to support the board's bid to oust Maroga after the two clashed over issues of how to run state-owned Eskom.

The former chairman said Maroga offered to resign during the latest board meeting and the board had accepted his resignation.