Riyaz Patel
The ANC says stabilising Eskom is the priority and should not be about race following criticism from some quarters after Andrew De Ruyter was appointed of CEO of the embattled power utility Monday.
The EFF believe de Ruyter’s appointment represents a setback for transformation at the cash-strapped entity.
“This racist project seeks to reinforce the falsehood that Africans cannot manage their own institutions,” said EFF spokesperson Mbuyiseni Ndlozi.
“[Minister of Public Enterprises] Pravin [Gordhan] does not believe that Africans can manage and build complex institutions.
“The only time he is comfortable appointing Africans is when he puts them in a position of permanent juniority and treats them like his lap dogs,” the party added in a statement.
ANC spokesperson Pule Mabe said South Africans should go beyond colour barriers to build a thriving economy.
“Solving the problems of South Africa won’t come about through the pigmentation of our skin. It is going to come about with all of us working together to ensure that we adhere to ethical and credible leadership.”
The Democratic Alliance’s (DA) Natasha Mazzone said de Ruyter should use his experience of working in both the public and private sectors to set Eskom on the right course to recovery.
De Ruyter will lead Eskom’s re-organisation, including its separation into three entities responsible for generation, transmission and distribution.
The Department of Public Enterprises said De Ruyter was chosen from 142 potential candidates, eight of whom were Eskom employees.
Eskom is struggling to service R 440 billion of debt, which it ran up due to surging salary, fuel and debt-servicing costs, as well as mismanagement and corruption scandals.
Eskom recorded a R20.7 billion net loss in the year to the end of March and expects another R20 billion loss in the current 2019/2020 financial year.
The government has promised to inject R59 billion into the utility over the next two financial years, in addition to R230 billion of bailouts spread over the next decade.
De Ruyter, current CEO of Nampak, will assume his duties on January 15, the Ministry of Public Enterprises said, adding that he has more than 20 years of experience in a number of senior management roles at petrochemicals group Sasol.
He replaces former CEO Phakamani Hadebe, who stepped down in July citing health concerns.
Eskom Chairman Jabu Mabuza has been standing in as acting CEO.
