Johannesburg – Eskom, which has been implementing Stage 6 load-shedding, on Wednesday announced that it has parted ways with its Group Chief Executive Andrè de Ruyter with “immediate effect”.
De Ruyter resigned in December 2022 and had been expected to leave the power utility at the end of March.
Eskom said a special Board meeting was held earlier on Wednesday, (22 February 2023) during which it was resolved to release De Ruyter.
“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,” said the communique from the power utility.
“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.
“Acting GCE arrangements are being finalized with the shareholder Minister and will be communicated shortly.”
The move to release De Ruyter comes a day after his interview with e.TV journalist Annika Larsen.
In the interview on My Guest Tonight, De Ruyter – whose salary was more than R7 million a year, made disparaging comments about the African National Congress and alleged an unnamed minister was involved in corruption.
De Ruyter’s premature departure came hours after Finance Minister Enoch Godongwana announced in his 2023 Budget that the Treasury would provide R254bn debt relief for Eskom, with very strict conditions.
