Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter has thrown in the towel a month earlier than expected. This amid growing issues and tensions within the embattled utility that have even lead to de Ruyter losing his cool on National television.

De Ruyter called out government officials as well as the African National Congress (ANC) for having a hand in the collapse of Eskom and the continuation of corruption and political interference, adding that the ANC are using the utility as what he described as a “feeding trough”.

De Ruyter has since been subjected to widespread criticism over his tenure, from government officials like the Minister of Public Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan as well as the Minister of Energy and Mineral Resources, Gwede Mantashe.

Following a board meeting that was held yesterday, the Eskom Board and de Ruyter reached an agreement to cut his notice short to 28 February 2023, instead of the anticipated 31 March 2023. 

In a statement, the Board expressed that arrangements for an acting Group Chief Executive “are being finalised with the shareholder Minister and will be communicated shortly.”