André de Ruyter
André Marinus de Ruyter (born 20 March 1968) is a South African businessman who previously worked at Sasol and Nampak.
André de Ruyter | |
|---|---|
| Born | André Marinus de Ruyter 20 March 1968 Pretoria, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Education | Die Hoërskool Menlopark |
| Alma mater | |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Chief Executive Officer of Eskom | |
| In office December 2019 – 22 February 2023 | |
| President | Cyril Ramaphosa |
| Preceded by | Phakamani Hadebe Jabu Mabuza (acting) |
| Succeeded by | Calib Cassim (interim) |
In December 2019, he was appointed CEO of Eskom, South Africa's state-owned electricity company.[1] On 14 December 2022, it was reported that he would soon step down as CEO of Eskom.[1]
De Ruyter published a book, Truth to Power in May 2023, which detailed his three years at Eskom, and the level of pillaging, looting and political interference that contributed to the energy provider's downfall.
Early life and education
De Ruyter was born in Pretoria in 1968.[2] He holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Pretoria, a Bachelor of Civil Law certificate and Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of South Africa, and a Masters of Business Administration from the Nyenrode Business University.[2]
Career
Appointment
In December 2019, de Ruyter was appointed CEO of Eskom, South Africa's publicly owned electricity company. According to The Citizen, during his tenure, de Ruyter targeted 'coal theft syndicates', ignored maintenance, and oversaw a shift towards renewable power. However during his tenure South Africa suffered the worst electricity blackouts in history.[2]
Resignation
On 12 December 2022, de Ruyter tendered his resignation as the CEO of Eskom. The following day at work, he allegedly consumed a cup of coffee that had unknowingly to him been laced with cyanide. After he received medical treatment, a case of attempted murder was opened with the South African Police Service.[3][4]
In December 2022, power cuts reached their severest levels ever.[5] That same month, it emerged that de Ruyter had been criticized by Gwede Mantashe, Minister of Mineral Resources and Energy and Chairperson of the ruling African National Congress.[6] Mantashe called de Ruyter a 'policeman' and accused Eskom of 'agitating for the overthrow of the state'.[6] After these remarks were reported, de Ruyter resigned, citing a loss of support from 'the broader political economy'.[6]
Ghaleb Cachalia, Shadow Minister of Public Enterprises of the Democratic Alliance, South Africa's official opposition, accused Mantashe of a 'relentless campaign against a man who despite having one hand tied behind his back' attempted to fight corruption.[1] He further said that Pravin Gordhan, the Minister of Public Enterprises, had been 'powerless in the face of Mantashe'.[1] The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa welcomed his resignation, citing his 'incompetence'; it further called for Gordhan's resignation.[1]
In January 2023, de Ruyter stated power cuts would continue for two years.[7]
On 22 February 2023, de Ruyter resigned with immediate effect,[8] and Chief Financial Officer Calib Cassim was appointed as interim CEO.[9]
His resignation followed an interview he gave to eTV.[10] He alleged that theft and graft were leading to losses of R1 billion per month from Eskom, that a senior ANC MP was involved, and the police investigating his poisoning "confused a dose of cyanide with a sinus complaint".[11] He also claimed that the Central Energy Fund had proposed to convert coal plants to gas operation following a visit by the Russian Minister of Energy, and noted at the same time that Russia was "very long on gas"; in response, the Fund accused him of "recklessness" and said that the proposal was made in view of the "base load capacity challenge".[12] The Secretary General of the ANC, Fikile Mbalula, demanded evidence to substantiate the claims, threatened to "take action", and insisted that the ANC "is not corrupt".[13]
See also
References
- "More reactions as Eskom CEO André de Ruyter calls it quits". SABC News. 14 December 2022. Archived from the original on 17 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
- "André de Ruyter: What you need to know about Eskom's outgoing silver fox". The Citizen. 15 December 2022. Archived from the original on 17 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
- "South Africa police investigate alleged plot to poison CEO with cyanide even though no toxicology report was presented". The Guardian. 8 January 2023. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- Yelland, Chris (7 January 2023). "Attempted murder of De Ruyter reported to the South African Police Service". EE Business Intelligence. Retrieved 28 January 2023.
- Miridzhanian, Anait; Gumbi, Kopano (14 December 2022). "S.African utility Eskom begins search for new boss as CEO quits". Reuters. Archived from the original on 17 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
- van Diemen, Ethan (15 December 2022). "Those Mantashe remarks and an 'untenable' situation - De Ruyter reveals why he had to leave Eskom". Daily Maverick. Archived from the original on 17 December 2022. Retrieved 17 December 2022.
- Cocks, Tim (22 January 2023). "South Africa's Eskom says worst power cuts over for now but urges less use". Reuters. Retrieved 23 January 2023.
- "Andrè de Ruyter leaves Eskom with immediate effect". Eskom. 22 February 2023. Retrieved 23 February 2023.
- "Eskom appoints Calib Cassim as interim CEO after De Ruyter's early exit". News24 Business. Retrieved 2023-02-24.
- Larsen, Annika (24 February 2023). "My Guest Tonight With Annika Larsen". YouTube. ETV.
- Cohen, Tim (2023-02-23). "BUSINESS REFLECTION: After the Bell: There are implications to André de Ruyter's public revelations about the Eskom crisis". Daily Maverick. Retrieved 2023-02-26.
- Staff Reporter. "De Ruyter interview misleading, reckless — Central Energy Fund". City Press.
- O'Regan, Victoria (23 February 2023). "'We challenge you' – ANC's Fikile Mbalula calls on André de Ruyter to provide evidence for 'baseless' corruption claims at Eskom". Daily Maverick.