Andre de Ruyter leaves Eskom with immediate effect

Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter has left the power utility with immediate effect following an explosive interview on ENCA.

Eskom said the decision followed 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.

“The board further resolved that 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.”

Eskom said acting GCE arrangements are being finalized with the shareholder minister and will be communicated shortly.

The announcement followed shortly after an explosive interview where he accused the ANC of corruption and enrichment through Eskom.

He said there is knowledge and support of corruption at the highest levels of the ruling party and the government.

In one instance, he approached a senior minister about a high-level politician that was involved in sinister and potentially criminal activities at Eskom.

“The minister in question looked at a senior official and said, ‘I guess it was inevitable that it would come out anyway’. It suggests that it was not news,” De Ruyter said.

The Eskom CEO would not reveal who the person is but said he was still in a senior government position.

In another instance, he expressed concerns to a minister about the government’s attempts to water down an $8.5 billion package to accelerate the country’s clean energy transition.

“The response was that you have to be pragmatic. To pursue the greater good, you have to enable some people to eat a little bit. It is entrenched,” he said.