Mzansi Debates Ex-Eskom CEO André De Ruyter’s Hero Status After Corruption Exposé

Mzansi Debates Ex-Eskom CEO André De Ruyter’s Hero Status After Corruption Exposé

  • Ex-Eskom CEO André de Ruyter is causing a stir online following the corruption allegations he made against the ANC
  • Veteran broadcaster Bronwyn Nielsen got people talking after she slammed claims that De Ruyter's conduct was heroic
  • South Africans are debating if De Ruyter is a hero for attempting to expose corruption at Eskom or if he was part of the problem

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JOHANNESBURG - The former CEO of ailing power utility Eskom André de Ruyter is still topping trending lists a full week after his controversial interview where he made allegations of ANC-sanctioned criminality at Eskom.

South Africans debate André de Ruyter's hero status
South Africans debate André de Ruyter's hero status following his allegations of corruption at Eskom. Image: Waldo Swiegers & stock image
Source: Getty Images

Veteran broadcaster Bronwyn Nielsen sparked an intense debate after she posted a tweet calling De Ruyter out for his reportedly rocky track record as a chief executive at multiple companies.

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Veteran broadcaster slams André de Ruyter's hero status after Eskom corruption allegation

Nielson didn't pull any punches when she claimed De Ruyter being labelled a hero is nonsense.

The broadcaster said that the former Eskom CEO's dismal track record at other companies is evidence that he should have never been given the reigns at the ailing power utility.

Nielson wrote:

"Look no further than the value destruction at Nampak under his leadership. Now trying to play the white knight card. Ridiculous."

Neilson was referring to De Ruyter's controversial interview with eNCA where he accused the African National Congress of sanctioning corruption and the power utility and brushing it under the rug when he voiced his concerns.

South Africans divided by veteran broadcaster's claims that André de Ruyter isn't a hero

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Neilson's tweet sparked a heated debate online. While some people agreed with the broadcaster, others claimed what De Ruyter did makes him a hero.

This is how people reacted:

@AfricaInsights praised:

"You're one of the few, very few, journalists willing to look at the facts and call it the way it is."

@NoviceTrader1 claimed:

"Both can be true. He can be and is a poor choice AND the levels of corruption at Eskom/ANC can be exposed."

@sthembisom28 echoed:

"This is a fact. He was not supposed to be there in the first place. And he accepted the job knowing his limitations and challenges."

@AsemahleMak commented:

"Not forgetting the mess at Sasol as well. Sasol. Nampak. Eskom. There's a trend."

Ramaphosa challenges Andre De Ruyter to report corruption claims to the cops, SA asks: “What will police do?”

In a related story, Briefly News reported that President Cyril Ramaphosa has joined the ANC's call to former Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter to report allegations of corruption to the police.

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De Ruyter has been a massive topic of discussion after he spoke about corrupt dealings at Eskom and implicated an unnamed minister during an explosive interview on eNCA last week.

Speaking on the sidelines at the Union Buildings in Tshwane, the president stated that the former Eskom CEO had a duty to present his findings to the relevant authorities, reports TimesLIVE.

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Source: Briefly News

Authors:
Lerato Mutsila avatar

Lerato Mutsila (Current affairs editor) Lerato Mutsila is a journalist with 3 years of experience. She obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism from Pearson Institute of Higher Education in 2020, majoring in broadcast journalism, political science and communication. Lerato joined the Briefly News current affairs desk in August 2022. Mutsila is also a fellow of the 2021/2022 Young African Journalists Acceleration programme, which trained African journalists in climate journalism. You can contact Lerato at lerato.mutsila@breifly.co.za