Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter resigns amid high stages of loadshedding

Eskom’s CEO André de Ruyter has resigned. He has been under enormous pressure as the country has been plunged into successive high stages of loadshedding.  André de Ruyter has agreed to stay on until 31 March 2023 as the embattled utility seeks his replacement.

“Mr De Ruyter has agreed to stay for an additional period beyond the stipulated 30-days’ notice to ensure continuity while we urgently embark on a search for his successor,” said Eskom chair Mpho Makwana. The Eskom board denied speculation that Makwana would become interim CEO.

South Africa’s electricity crisis continues to be front and centre of everyone’s minds. Many people just want an end to the rolling blackouts.

In a statement, De Ruyter said was an honour and privilege to serve Eskom and South Africa. “I wish all the hard-working people of Eskom well.”

“André has carried an enormous burden on behalf of South Africa, I want to thank him for his sacrifice and resilience in a difficult job,” Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan said in a statement. The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) said it was “overjoyed at the news that the worst CEO in the history of Eskom’s existence, has finally decided to do the right thing and resign”.
“We demand that whoever replaces Andre De Ruyter must have an engineering background, and, must also work for Eskom, so that that person can understand all the technical aspects of this business. Eskom is not like any other company, you need a technical expert who, at the very least, must understand the difference between good quality coal and bad quality coal. This was a concept which was way over De Ruyter’s head,” General Secretary Irvin Jim said in a statement.
The union also called on Gordhan to resign.

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