Former Eskom Chair Disagrees with Security Cluster, Supports De Ruyter

Introduction

The former chairperson of Eskom, Jabu Mabuza, has contradicted the South African government’s security cluster’s claims that the power utility was not under threat of sabotage. Mabuza has instead backed the new Eskom CEO, André de Ruyter, who has been investigating allegations of sabotage at the company.

Contradicting the Security Cluster

The South African government’s security cluster, which includes the police, intelligence agencies, and the military, had previously denied that Eskom was under threat of sabotage. However, Mabuza has now contradicted this claim, stating that he had received information that suggested otherwise.

Mabuza’s comments come after de Ruyter revealed that Eskom had experienced several incidents of sabotage, including the theft of cables and the tampering of critical infrastructure. De Ruyter has also accused some Eskom employees of colluding with external parties to sabotage the company.

Backing de Ruyter

Mabuza’s support for de Ruyter is significant, as it suggests that the new CEO is making progress in his efforts to turn around Eskom’s fortunes. De Ruyter was appointed in January 2020, with a mandate to address the company’s financial and operational challenges.

Eskom has been plagued by corruption, mismanagement, and debt, which have contributed to power outages and a decline in the country’s economy. De Ruyter has promised to tackle these issues head-on, and his investigation into sabotage is seen as a crucial step in restoring Eskom’s credibility.

Mabuza’s endorsement of de Ruyter is also a blow to those who have been critical of the CEO’s appointment. Some have accused de Ruyter of lacking experience in the energy sector and of being a „token white“ in a company that has historically been dominated by black executives. However, Mabuza’s support suggests that de Ruyter is gaining the trust and respect of those within Eskom and the wider energy industry.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Jabu Mabuza’s comments have contradicted the South African government’s security cluster’s claims that Eskom was not under threat of sabotage. Mabuza has instead backed the new Eskom CEO, André de Ruyter, who has been investigating allegations of sabotage at the company.

De Ruyter’s investigation is seen as a crucial step in restoring Eskom’s credibility, which has been damaged by corruption, mismanagement, and debt. Mabuza’s endorsement of de Ruyter is significant, as it suggests that the CEO is gaining the trust and respect of those within Eskom and the wider energy industry.

It remains to be seen what the outcome of de Ruyter’s investigation will be, but his efforts to tackle the challenges facing Eskom are commendable. With the support of figures like Mabuza, de Ruyter may be able to turn Eskom around and restore it to its former glory

Original article Teaser

Ex-Eskom chair contradicts security cluster, backs De Ruyter

Former Eskom chairperson, Professor Malegapuru Makgoba, told Parliament’s standing committee on public accounts (Scopa) that the president’s national security adviser, Sydney Mufamadi, and public enterprises minister, Pravin Gordhan, had been told of former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter’s private intelligence operation. Makgoba told Scopa on Wednesday that De Ruyter informed him about the intelligence operation in July 2022. IOL quotes Makgoba as saying: ‘If the SAPS and the Hawks had done their work effectively and efficiently, we would not be meeting here as a committee. The issue that De Ruyter undertook was an operational matter because Eskom, at the time, was besieged with sabotage and corruption, and we were not getting any mileage from law enforcement agencies.’ He added that

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