André de Ruyter under scrutiny after being accused of spreading misinformation
Controversy surrounds former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter as allegations arise regarding concerns over his management of the power utility.
There’s some heat on former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter.
He’s accused of spreading wrong info about cutting down load shedding and not quite handling things well while running the power utility.
IS HE SPREADING THE WRONG INFORMATION ABOUT LOAD SHEDDING?
According to a report by MyBroadBand, De Ruyter told delegates at the PSG Financial Services Annual Conference that Eskom’s current diesel budget is R24 billion, four times more than he was in charge.
“Therefore, if the lights are on, it is because they are pouring a considerable amount of money into diesel at a rate of knots,” he said.
DE RUYTER ALSO CLAIMED THAT THE LOWER LOAD SHEDDING IS THANKS TO HIM
He furthermore claimed that the lower load shedding is thanks to his and Jan Oberholzer’s maintenance plan.
“Therefore, if the lights are on, it is because they are pouring a considerable amount of money into diesel at a rate of knots,” he said.
The report also states that De Ruyter claimed that the lower load shedding is thanks to his and Jan Oberholzer’s maintenance plan.
THIS FORMER ESKOM CEO WARNED THE GOVERNMENT EARLIER THIS YEAR
He urged the government to avoid sinking too much money into Eskom’s aging and deteriorating coal-fired power stations.
Instead, investing in extending the utility’s transmission grid would provide a better use of the money, allowing the private sector to take over generation.
Earlier this year, De Ruyter said corruption continues unabated at Eskom and that the people controlling the corrupt networks are still free.
He added that underlying factors create an environment where corruption is enabled, including the procurement policy related to state-owned entities.
De Ruyter made these comments during an interview with Biznews’s Chris Steyn from the United States.
He resigned from Eskom in December 2022 and left the power utility with immediate effect in February 2023, following an explosive interview on eNCA.
DE RUYTER LEFT ESKOM IN 2022 AFTER AN EXPLOSIVE INTERVIEW
In the interview, he accused the ANC of corruption and enrichment through Eskom. He added there was knowledge and support of corruption at the highest levels.
De Ruyter released a book last year – Truth to Power: My Three Years Inside Eskom. In this book, De Ruyter gave a behind-the-scenes look at how Eskom was crippled by corruption on a staggering scale.
He said at Eskom, no item was too small to serve as a conduit for the looting.
HIS BOOK CONTAINED MANY SHOCKING REVELATIONS
It ranged from Eskom paying R26 for a R5 single-ply roll of toilet paper to ordering a mop for R238,000.
And it goes much further. From 2012 to 2016, a company overcharged Eskom for fuel oil by an eye-popping R1.2 billion.
Eskom paid R400,000 for bearings worth R110,000. It was billed R370,000 for a compressor refurbishment, which should have cost R40,000.
In one case, Eskom even paid R80,000 for a pair of knee guards that cost R320 at Builders Warehouse.
Last year, De Ruyter then secured a teaching position at Yale University, one of the leading institutions in the United States.
HE LATER LANDED A TEACHING POSITION AT YALE UNIVERSITY
His classes focus on crucial topics such as renewable energy and the green economy. Notably, his lectures will spotlight Eskom’s Just Energy Transition (JET) programme, at the request of Yale.
This programme, initiated during De Ruyter’s tenure, garnered over R150 billion in financing for green energy projects in South Africa.
THIS APPOINTMENT MARKS A SIGNIFICANT STEP IN HIS CONTRIBUTION
De Ruyter’s lectures span across three schools within Yale University: the School of Management, the Jackson School of Global Affairs and the School of the Environment.
His appointment marks a significant step in his continued contribution to shaping sustainable energy practices globally.