South Africa’s state power utility, Eskom has appointed a new Chief Executive Officer after the exit of the former head, André de Ruyter, following an interview where he accused the ruling party of corruption.
In a statement, the company announced the appointment of Chief Financial Officer, Calib Cassim “with immediate effect” as the interim CEO to replace André de Ruyter.
“Mr. Cassim will lead the Eskom management team until further notice,” it read.
In the critical interview with a local TV station, De Ruyter, who was due to leave in a month’s time, accused the ruling ANC party of using Eskom as a “feeding trough”.
De Ruyter resigned in December 2022 and was due to leave his job at the end of March. Eskom announced his early departure on Wednesday evening.
“Following the convening of a special board meeting on 22 February 2023, the Eskom Board and group chief executive Andrè de Ruyter have reached mutual agreement to curtail his notice period to 28 February 2023,” Eskom disclosed in a 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.” eskom
De Ruyter resigned following Energy and Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe’s claims that Eskom was “agitating for the overthrow of the state” by failing to address unprecedented levels of load shedding.
Also in the interview, De Ruyter alleged that unnamed senior government officials, including a Minister, were benefitting from coal deals at the utility.
De Ruyter said he told a Minister, who he did not name, that he (De Ruyter) was concerned about attempts to “water down” governance of the $8.5-billion deal reached at COP26 to fund the country’s just transition to cleaner and renewable energy sources.
De Ruyter said the Cabinet member told him to be practical and that “in order to pursue the greater good, you have to let some people eat a little bit”.
Additionally, Andrè de Ruyter claimed that he had been under surveillance by State Security Agency members and that the ANC had an outdated socialist mindset and was focused on winning elections rather than long-term stability.
“They want what will win them the next election – not what will keep the country going for the next two decades,” he remarked.
The party has dismissed the accusations.
His comments seemed to have to led to his early departure. De Ruyter was Eskom’s thirteenth CEO in ten years.
Over 20 Years Of Service In Eskom
Eskom noted in the appointment statement that with over 20 years of service in Eskom, Cassim’s qualifications and extensive experience have provided him with a deep understanding and appreciation of the Eskom business and the electricity industry, especially regarding the challenges facing the financing of operations and further expansion of the industry.
“Eskom thanks his family for permitting him to assume the additional responsibilities and is grateful to Mr Cassim for stepping up to GCE role,” the statement read.
Calib Cassim, De Ruyter’s replacement, was appointed as Eskom’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in November 2018 after serving as acting CFO from July 2017.
Cassim is a registered Chartered Accountant (SA) and holds a master’s degree in Business Leadership (MBL).
The job of Eskom’s CEO is already a tough one, as the country finds itself in its worst energy crisis in history.
Cassim enters the new position, with not only having to deal with the energy crisis, but also the corruption storm emanating from the former CEO’s explosive interview.
South Africa has been enduring up to 12 hours of scheduled power cuts in recent days amid a power crisis in the country.
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