ANC Members Push Back Against Allegations Made By Eskom's De Ruyter

Senior members of South Africa's government have launched verbal attacks on former Eskom CEO de Ruyter after he accused the ruling ANC party of perpetrating corruption which drains the electricity utility's finances.

• ANC Secretary General Fikile Mbalula dismissed de Ruyter's allegations and called him a "failure" and "right wing," while Finance Minister Godongwana accused him of being "economical with the truth." Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, who had previously defended de Ruyter against criticism from his Cabinet colleagues, now said that the former Eskom chief was "meddling" in politics instead of doing his job.
• Eskom confirmed today that it is in the process of finalising the appointment of an interim CEO after parting ways with de Ruyter through mutual agreement. The company clarified in a statement that its board was not pleased with de Ruyter's conduct during the interview and asked him to step down.
• Excerpts from the interview have been doing the round in local media today, dominating the front pages. The former Eskom CEO, who survived an alleged poisoning attempt in December, accused the ANC of having a socialist mindset and suggested that he was under surveillance by State Security Agency members. The revelations may amplify headwinds for the ANC ahead of the 2024 election.