'No move to alter' Molefe provision

Brian Molefe, former CEO of Eskom

This contradicted comments by executives of Exxaro, Eskom's biggest single coal supplier, at a briefing after its interim results presentation that the Treasury's intervention was evident since January in giving greater importance to best price in adjudicating contracts instead. A Treasury representative said the department was not intervening in Eskom contracts.

Eskom spokesman Khulu Phasiwe said its primary energy team had confirmed that 50% plus one remained a policy objective. He said there had been no waiver of this requirement.

Exxaro CEO Mxolisi Mgojo said earlier that the Treasury's intervention had "a neutralising effect. There are no special interests at stake." Asked for further details of Treasury's intervention, given its denial, Exxaro declined to add anything.