Eskom Chairman Mteto Nyati warned that separating transmission assets could trigger financial and legal complications for the utilityPresidential spokesman Vincent Magwenya hit back, saying Nyati created a false impression of the unbundling processTreasury Director-General Duncan Pieterse confirmed that advisers will soon begin lender negotiations over the planned separationThe Eskom chairman was rebuked by the Presidency. Image: Gianluigi Guercia/AFP via Getty ImagesSource: Getty ImagesSOUTH AFRICA — The presidency has publicly contradicted Eskom Chairman Mteto Nyati after he raised concerns that separating the utility's power transmission assets could damage its financial position and unsettle lenders. News24 reported that Nyati warned that transferring transmission assets to an independent operator risked activating change-of-control clauses in Eskom's lending agreements, creating accounting complications, and alarming bondholders. Eskom does not oppose the creation of an independent transmission operator but wants to retain ownership of those assets during an interim phase. Magwenya stressed that all concerns had been thoroughly discussed across government and directly with Eskom, and that authorities remain committed to protecting the utility's financial position throughout the restructuring.