De Ruyter’s last day as head of Eskom was to be at the end of March 2023, following his resignation in December 2022. The power utility’s spokesperson, Sikhonathi Mantshantsha, says that the Eskom board and De Ruyter have reached an agreement that his notice period will be curtailed to Tuesday 28 February 2023; however, it will not be necessary for him to serve the remainder of his notice period.

In the interim, arrangements for an acting GCE are being finalised with the Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan, and will be communicated shortly. The reason for his resignation to become effective immediately is not known. 

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The mutual separation agreement between the two comes on the heels of De Ruyter’s television interview on eNCA, which aired on 21 February 2023, in which he made allegations that the ruling party’s "corrupt ways" have led to the downfall of Eskom.

During the interview, he mentioned that Eskom in its current state cannot be restored to its former glory. His initial resignation came after a barrage of public attacks on him led by Mineral Resources and Energy Minister, Gwede Mantashe, and Gordhan's and President Cyril Ramaphosa’s subsequent failure to support him and his management publicly.

De Ruyter, who assumed his position on Christmas Day in 2019, was severely criticised for Eskom’s performance, despite the company providing regular briefings and detailed information about the decrepit state of the country’s electricity infrastructure.

OFM News