The Chairperson of the Portfolio Committee on Public Enterprises Khaya Magaxa said although outgoing Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter received enough support from Parliament, he missed his own deadlines to solve the energy crisis.
“The committee appreciates the role Mr de Ruyter played at Eskom and will (for)ever cherish it. However, the committee also recognises that his ability is not stretchable beyond the crisis point the power utility has reached notwithstanding our unwavering support as the committee to him, Mr de Ruyter has not been able to resolve the worsening problem of load shedding according to timeframes he had given to the committee,” Magaxa said.
He said the committee has noted and welcomed the resignation of Eskom’s Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Andre de Ruyter.
De Ruyter resigns at a time when the country faces a very unacceptable and unbelievable load shedding problem, Magaxa has called on the Eskom Board to get a suitably qualified replacement him: “Eskom requires a replacement which will provide workable and practical solutions to the rising complex problems facing the power utility currently.”
Meanwhile Gauteng ANC Chairperson Panyaza Lesufi said the party is glad that Andre De Ryter has decided to leave.
Lesufi said ANC in Gauteng took a resolution to mobilise society in demanding the resignation of both the head of Eskom, and its political head (Minister).
READ: Eskom CEO André de Ruyter resigns
Eskom Board Chairperson Mpho Makwana said De Ruyter will leave the power utility only in March next year.
“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. His last day at Eskom will be 31 March 2023,” said Makwana on Wednesday.
“It has been an honour and privilege to serve Eskom and South Africa. I wish all the hard working people of Eskom well,” said De Ruyter.
The Eskom Board has confirmed that there is no plan for the Chairman to become an interim CEO and that a comprehensive executive search will be conducted to find a suitably qualified candidate.
Public Enterprises Minister, Pravin Gordhan stated that “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.”
-INSIDE POLITICS
