Former Eskom CEO, André de Ruyter, has raised alarming concerns about the presence of criminal cartels operating within Eskom, South Africa’s state-owned electricity utility.
According to de Ruyter, these cartels are responsible for stealing billions of rands each month, causing significant damage to the company and hindering its ability to function effectively.
During an interview on the Business Day Spotlight podcast, de Ruyter emphasized that speaking out publicly about the rampant corruption at Eskom was crucial in bringing attention to the issue.
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He stated that without his intervention, little would have been done to address the problem. De Ruyter further expressed his belief that these criminal activities are either explicitly condoned or at least tolerated within the organization.
De Ruyter acknowledged the existence of senior individuals, potentially within the realms of politics or the cartels themselves, who continue to benefit from the ongoing corruption.
While he did not elaborate on specific names, he indicated that he has some knowledge of the key figures involved. The former CEO previously estimated that these criminal cartels were siphoning off over R1 billion per month from Eskom, although the actual figure may be even larger.
One of the most concerning aspects highlighted by de Ruyter is the immense financial power wielded by these criminal entities.
He asserted that their ability to influence policies, purchase immunity, and buy the direction of the company’s operations poses a significant obstacle to transitioning from coal to more cost-effective and environmentally friendly technologies.
De Ruyter’s decision to publicly address the issue resulted in some notable actions being taken. This included the reshuffling of senior police officials in Mpumalanga, the deployment of soldiers to power stations, and the emergence of whistleblowers.
However, he expressed his belief that had he not spoken out, the corruption would have been swept under the rug, as many individuals were aware of the situation but unwilling to take a stand.
Despite facing intense pushback and pressure, de Ruyter remained steadfast in his pursuit of exposing the corruption at Eskom.
He emphasized that his concerns extended beyond the poor maintenance of aging power plants and were rooted in the existence of organized crime cartels operating with impunity within the company.
Addressing the issue of criminal cartels at Eskom is crucial for the company’s future. By bringing this problem to light, de Ruyter has shed much-needed attention on the corruption undermining the utility’s operations.
The fight against these cartels is not only about restoring integrity within Eskom but also about enabling a smoother transition to cleaner and more sustainable energy sources.
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