UPDATE 2-SAfrican Eskom's board insists CEO had quit

* Eskom to issue statement on Thursday

* New move adds to confusion at helm of power utility

(Recasts, adds details, analyst)

By Agnieszka Flak

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 11 (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 Oct. 28th," he said.

Maroga's tenure has been marked by power shortages, a record loss of 9.7 billion rand ($1.31 billion) in the year to March and electricity price rises criticised for stoking inflation as South Africa battles recession. [ID:nLR677617]