SAfrica govt seeking to resolve Eskom CEO crisis

JOHANNESBURG, Nov 5 (Reuters) - South Africa's Minister for Public Enterprises Barbara Hogan said on Thursday she was trying to resolve a breakdown in relations between the board of state-owned power utility Eskom and its Chief Executive Officer.

Hogan said in a statement she would engage all relevant parties to secure the best solution for the power firm and the public, and said at no point had President Jacob Zuma interfered with this process, contrary to newspaper reports.

"We are confident that all parties do have the best interests of the country at heart and that they will resolve this matter with the urgency that it deserves," she said.

Eskom's [ESCJ.UL] Chief Executive Officer Jacob Maroga denied last week that he was asked to resign by the utility's board, following a troubled tenure marked by power shortages, and a record 9.7 billion rand ($1.25 billion) loss in the year to end-March.

Eskom has called a press conference for 1100 GMT, but did not specify the topic to be discussed with the media. (Reporting by James Macharia)