By: Natasha Archary
The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) have called for the immediate dismissal of Andre de Ruyter (CEO), Jan Oberholzer (COO) and the entire Eskom board.
With loadshedding continuing indefinitely, the red berets have voiced the sentiments of millions of South Africans, calling for an end to the incompetence at the state-owned power utility.
In a statement, the EFF said the continuing loadshedding is having a devastating effect on the livelihoods of families and businesses.
“The collapse of Eskom and the failure to provide dependable and consistent energy supply are meant to render the country’s electricity utility redundant and useless.
The lie perpetuated by Eskom’s incompetent executives and so-called energy analysts is that the country does not have enough renewable energy to provide electricity when there is a mechanical breakdown and maintenance, and that Eskom is cash-strapped.
The reality is that the energy crisis facing Eskom is man-made.”
The EFF have had enough of the excuses from Eskom’s management
With rolling blackouts expected to persist and loadshedding only getting worse, the EFF said Eskom CEO, Andre de Ruyter, COO Jan Oberholzer and the entire Eskom board have no sense of urgency to end the energy crisis.
Calling for the immediate dismissal of Eskom’s management, the EFF have given President Cyril Ramaphosa until end of business on Tuesday, 20 September to announce their dismissal.
The party says it warned government against the appointment of de Ruyter and Oberholzer because they lack technical and executive experience.
“Their appointment was made purely based on the colour of their skin because there was enough evidence which clearly showed de Ruyter failed to manage a food packaging company previously. To then give him the responsibility to manage the country’s energy generation was reckless.
The government must immediately fire de Ruyter, Oberholzer and the board by the end of day. Failure to do so will result in radical steps being taken to ensure that competent, dependable and fit people are in charge of Eskom.”
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