- Ex Eskom Group Chief Executive, Andre de Ruyter, has agreed to appear virtually before parliament’s standing committee on public accounts (SCOPA) tomorrow.
- SCOPA has invited De Ruyter to substantiate the allegations he has made regarding corruption, theft, maladministration, sabotage, lack of consequence management, cartels and other financial irregularities at Eskom.
- De Ruyter also agreed to make a written submission on the issues he raised during a controversial interview on national TV back in February.
- He is expected the name the high ranking minister implicated in mafia style looting at Eskoms’ fleet of coal power stations in Mpumalanga.
In a broad-sweeping interview with journalist Annika Larsen on eTV on Tuesday evening, De Ruyter said that the ruling party, the ANC, is involved in widespread corruption and political interference at the country’s state owned power utility. It mentions that a certain high ranking minister was directly involved without naming the person. He was released from his position with immediate effect a day after giving the interview.
In the interview, De Ruyter explained that the ANC was more interested in short-term political gains than long-term sustainability for the country. “They want what will win them the next election – not what will keep the country going for the next two decades,” said De Ruyter.
De Ruyter also said that fixing and turning Eskom around is not feasible. Read more
Andre De Ruyter resigned as Eskom GCE in early December 2022 giving four months’ notice, after the country’s energy minister accused Eskom (him) of agitating to overthrow the state. Read more
De Ruyter also suffered an attempt on his life after drinking coffee laced with cyanide at his Eskom office after resigning. Read more
It all kicks off at 9am.
In related news, Eskom board chairperson Mpho Makwana said the utility is making progress in finding a replacement for De Ruyter. He said they have a shortlist of five candidates. He was speaking at the National Demand Side Management Indaba in Johannesburg earlier this week.
Author: Bryan Groenendaal
