Eskom Chief Executive Officer (CEO) André de Ruyter is to leave the struggling state-owned entity with immediate effect.
The announcement was made by Eskom on Wednesday night.
De Ruyter is the eleventh CEO in 13 years to leave Eskom.
Mutual agreement
Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha said De Ruyter and Eskom reached a mutual agreement to reduce the notice period to February 28, 2023 during a special board meeting.
“The board further decided that Mr. de Ruyter would not be required to serve the balance of the notice period, but that he would be relieved of his duties with immediate effect.”
“The arrangement of the GCE action is being finalized with the Minister of shareholders and will be communicated soon,” said Mantshantsha.
retreat
De Ruyter will officially step down as CEO of Eskom on 14 December 2022.
At the time, Eskom board chairman Mpho Makwana said De Ruyter’s last day at the power utility was March 31, 2023.
“De Ruyter has agreed to stay for an additional period beyond the 30-defined notice ‘to ensure continuity while we urgently start the search for his successor,” said Makwana.
Eskom’s board said a thorough search would be conducted to “find a suitable candidate” to replace De Ruyter.
Also read: Eskom CEO André de Ruyter resigns
Call to fire De Ruyter
Before his resignation, there were repeated calls for Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan to fire De Ruyter.
Eskom’s CEO is under increasing pressure to reduce his growing burden.
During the ANC NEC meeting, Gordhan attributed the Eskom crisis to poor maintenance and sabotage at power plants.
But some members were not convinced and called for De Ruyter to be replaced.
Mantashe attacked de Ruyter
De Ruyter also came under fire from Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy Gwede Mantashe, who described De Ruyter as a “policeman” focused on “chasing criminals”, without understanding the challenges of electricity utilities.
Mantashe also said that De Ruyter should be replaced by someone with technical ability.
“When you become a lawyer, the real challenge you will never know. You will go after criminals; that is your competence.”
There is no support
When De Ruyter resigned, energy expert Chris Yelland said in a tweet that the Eskom CEO did not have the support of the government as head of the electricity utility.
“Without a word of support from the president, the finance minister, the DPE [Department of Public Enterprises] minister and chairman of the Eskom board after an attack by Minister Mantashe accusing De Ruyter of being a traitor, I would expect nothing different except that De Ruyter should resign in disgust,” Yelland said.
poisoning
In January, De Ruyter opened a case of attempted murder after he was allegedly poisoned.
It is said that after drinking a cup of coffee in his office, De Ruyter became weak, dizzy, confused, and vomited profusely.
He then collapsed, unable to walk.
Read also: André de Ruyter: ‘The wrong people are resigning’, says Solidarity