Eskom, which can have a maximum of 13 non-executive directors, only has six. Seven have resigned - with the first resignation in 2018 - and have not been replaced. The remaining directors, whose term began in 2018, have appealed to Gordhan for several years to fill the vacancies on the board. It is critically short of the skills it needs, particularly in engineering and the electricity supply industry. 

With the crisis around Eskom deepening, the Cabinet resolved last week that the Eskom board should be strengthened. It is unclear whether the entire board will be replaced or some directors will be retained to allow for continuity. 

The board, which has been chaired by Professor Malegupuru Makgoba, since the resignation of Jabu Mabuza in 2020, has strongly supported the leadership of Eskom CEO André de Ruyter. 

While there was a strong sentiment expressed in last week's Cabinet meeting that De Ruyter should be fired, there has been no indication yet of what Gordhan intends to do. 

News24