Pravin gordhan

Enterprise Minister blamed for Eskom CEO Andre De Ruyter’s curtailed exit. Images via Twitter @Chris Yelland/ GCIS/Kopano Tlape

Pravin Gordhan blamed for Andre de Ruyter’s Eskom immediate exit

ESKOM CRISIS: “Andre De Ruyter learned today that ANC Minister Pravin Gordhan is the real boss” – Political analyst.

Pravin gordhan

Enterprise Minister blamed for Eskom CEO Andre De Ruyter’s curtailed exit. Images via Twitter @Chris Yelland/ GCIS/Kopano Tlape

Fingers have started pointing at Pravin Gordhan, the Minister of Public Enterprise, following the immediate resignation by outgoing Eskom CEO Andre De Ryuter.

ESKOM ANNOUNCES ANDRE DE RUYTER IMMEDIATE EXIT

Eskom announced the immediate resignation of outgoing CEO Andre de Ruyter who had only one month left before officially vacating his position.

However, a special board meeting on Wednesday 22 February concluded with a different outcome for de Ruyter.

The statement read: “The Eskom Board and Group Chief Executive (GCE) Andre De Ruyter have reached mutual agreement to curtail his notice period to 28 February 2023. 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 Group CEO arrangements are being finalised with the shareholder Minister and will be communicated shortly,” said Eskom in a statement.

WHAT PROMPTED THIS MOVE BY THE POWER UTILITY BOARD


The move comes after de Ruyter made startling revelations about alleged government interference at the power utility during a televised interview on Tuesday.
During the interview, de Ruyter could be heard saying he was informed by a senior minister that Eskom was being used to benefit the African National Congress (ANC) with the knowledge of some senior politicians.
Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan did not react kindly to the explosive interview.

PRAVIN GORDHAN UNHAPPY WITH EX-CEO MEDIA INTERVIEW

Speaking during the Eskom Board’s briefing of parliament’s Public Enterprises Committee on the utility’s financial results and annual report for the 2021/2022 financial year, Gordhan called upon CEOs of state-owned entities to avoid engaging in ‘open political debate’.

He also raised concerns about the video circulating on social media involving de Ruyter being interviewed by an independent broadcaster.

ALSO READ: Eskom immediately releases Andre de Ruyter from CEO position after explosive interview

Investigative Journalist Thabo Makwakwa analysed the move as Gordhan showing De Ruyter who calls the shots.

“Andre De Ruyter learned today that ANC Minister Pravin Gordhan is the real boss. not even the ANC can touch him. He fires and hires, collapses the economy and choose who becomes President because he has powerful people backing him,” he tweeted.

He went on to say, “Pravin Gordhan had no issue with the incompetent Andre De Ruyter’s ongoing Eskom crisis but fired him with immediate effect after revealing the ANC Minister responsible for load shedding. Indeed ANC is accused number one”.

ALSO READ: Lesufi: Municipalities in Gauteng owe Eskom R8.6 billion