
FILE PHOTO: Former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter during Eskom press conference at Megawatt Park in Sunninghill. PICTURE: Moneyweb
JOHANNESBURG: Eskom GCEO Mr Andre de Ruyter has left his post with immediate effect after a special board meeting on Wednesday.
The power utility said following a special board meeting on Wednesday, the board and the chief executive have agreed to curtail his notice period to 28 February.
Mr De Ruyter will not be required to serve the balance of his notice period.
When he resigned in December, Mr De Ruyter agreed to remain in the position until the end of March.
In a statement earlier yesterday, Public Enterprise minister Pravin Gordhan launched an attack on De Ruyter, slamming him for politicising his position.
In an interview with eTV’s Annika Larsen this week, Mr De Ruyter said he did not believe the government had the political will to end corruption within the power utility.
Eskom said an announcement as to who will take over as acting group chief executive will be made shortly.
“Following the convening of a special Board meeting on 22 February 2023, the Eskom Board and Group Chief Executive (GCE) Andrè de Ruyter have reached a mutual agreement to curtail his notice period to 28 February 2023,” Eskom said in a media statement.
“The board further resolved that Mr de Ruyter will not be required to serve the balance of his notice period but that he will be released from his position with immediate effect.
“Acting GCE arrangements are being finalised with the shareholder Minister and will be communicated shortly,” Eskom said.
Mr De Ruyter made shocking revelations, saying undisclosed members of the governing party and government at the highest levels were aware of the corruption that is happening at Eskom and also that the utility serves as the ANC’s “feeding trough”.
Mr De Ruyter said he was approached by a minister about a high-level politician who was involved in sinister and potentially criminal activities at the utility.
He also said that criminal syndicates in Mpumalanga were stealing around R1 billion a month from Eskom, and nothing much was being done about it.
Last year was officially South Africa’s worst year of rolling blackouts, and with the country still experiencing Stage 6 load shedding, the outlook does not look good.