EFF Says Eskom CEO Andre De Ruyter Must Be Fired And Replaced With A Competent Leader

• Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter is currently on the backend of criticism for the failures seen at the state-owned power utility
• The Economic Freedom Fighters MP Piaba Madokwe believes that de Ruyter should be sacked for his incompetence
• Some South Africans seem to agree with the EFF while other says de Ruyter can't possibly fix 9 years of damage in three years

CAPE TOWN - The Economic Freedom Fighters is blaming Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter for the power utility's continued problems and as a result, the party believes that he needs to be fired.

Piaba Madokwe, EFF Member of Parliament believes that Eskom executives who are not pulling their weight should face some sort of consequences for their inaction.

"We need to fire the Eskom CEO Andre De Ruyter and COO Jan Oberholzer and appoint a new competent executive with engineering qualifications," said Madokwe.

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Madokwe added that there is no accountability on the side of Eskom bosses and this needs to change, according to SABC News. IFP Member of Parliament Mkhuleko Hlengwa also shared the same sentiments as Madakowe which were expressed during a sitting in Parliament.

Hlengwa says the state-owned enterprise has not been able to fulfil its mandate and has become a curse in South African households.

"Eskom has become a curse in every household in our country. Why? It’s because this entity is unable to deliver on its fundamental mandate, which is to generate enough energy to our national grid," said Hlengwa.

Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan has defended the power utility and the African National Congress-led government. Gordhan stated that both Eskom and the Government are working hard to restore Eskom, reports Fin24.

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Gordhan stated that the government was bringing new generation capacity through commercial and public investments. He stated that the coal fleet stations were old and decaying, but that maintenance could be done with the help of private contractors.

South Africans weigh in on the EFF's remarks

On social media, South Africans have opposing views about Andre de Ruyter and the EFF's stance. Some people believe that de Ruyter should be fired, however, others say the problems at Eskom are not his fault.

@Simphiw86208804 said:

"They expect him to fix in 3 years the problem that was created for 9 or more years Is it Andrew who looted Eskom? Is it Andrew who badly designed power stations? Is it Andrew who failed to do maintenance of old power stations?"

@Rerig10 said:

"He has achieved nothing. #DeRuyterMustGo"

@AfricaBestLife said:

"Replace Andre with competent leadership."

@BigjoeSfiso said:

"They are mad ANC destroyed Eskom in 9 years period during Zuma's term there's no quick fix in this situation."

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@Tisetso_Mosea said:

"Been firing CEO .. when does the call for DEPUTY MINISTER & MINISTER COME?"

Pravin Gordhan says Eskom is not in a state of disaster but loadshedding Stage 8 may be Implemented

Briefly News previously reported that Minister of Public Enterprises Pravin Gordhan said there is no need to declare a state of disaster for Eskom however, loadshedding Stage 8 may need to be implemented.

The minister was speaking at a National Assembly plenary session on Wednesday 4 May after loadshedding Stage 2 was executed in parts of the country.

During his discussion around the power utility, Gordhan said the biggest goal is ensuring there is not a total collapse of the grid. He claims that there are plans within Eskom to manage power supplies.

The Public Enterprises Minister defended the utility after the Democratic Alliance suggested it be declared a state of disaster. The DA added that provinces and municipalities would be able to use alternative power sources if a state of disaster is implemented, according to Business Day.

Source: Briefly News