The regulator says comments on social media claiming that Thembani Bukula, chairperson of the National Energy Regulator of South Africa, has a conflict of interests are misleading and inaccurate.
According to the regulator, Thembani Bukula is the chairperson of Nersa and is not in conflict. It said that he resigned as the non-executive chairman of Mahube Infrastructure after he was appointed as Nersa chairperson.
The law requires every part-time regulator to disclose to the minister for mineral resources and energy, upon being appointed, any firm or association that is involved in the electricity, pipelined-gas, and petroleum pipelines industries, their pecuniary interests.
Bukula agreed to this, declaring his interest before he took up his position.
According to the law, Mr Bukula is not entitled to any pecuniary benefit from the decisions of the energy regulator.
Nersa stated that the energy regulator is made up of nine members, who decide on licensee applications from Nersa, Eskom, and adds that it only analyzes all applications, facts, and evidence.
