Cabinet wants new Eskom CEO to take up position earlier
The Department of Public Enterprises has been tasked with negotiating with incoming Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter to start his work at the ailing power utility earlier than originally planned.
De Ruyter was appointed as the new CEO of Eskom last month and was set to resume his duties mid-January.
Minister in the Presidency Jackson Mthembu said cabinet made the directive following growing unease over the power utility's performance.
Mthembu on Tuesday briefed the media on the outcomes of last week’s cabinet meeting in Tshwane.
"He was expected to start probably around the 15th of January so cabinet felt that because of the many things we need to do, if it is possible on his side we'd like him to start earlier, so that together with his team he will be able to immediately deal with the concerning issues at Eskom," said Mthembu.
"The concerning issues centre around governance, financial management including the stabilisation of the operations of Eskom, which includes dealing with the huge backlog of maintenance of the ageing fleet of their power stations and of course the structural defects in Medupi and Kusile power stations."
Mthembu also announced that Deputy President David Mabuza would convene a new energy war room together with Finance Minister Tito Mboweni, Mineral Resources Minister Gwede Mantashe and Gordhan.
The team would deal with any challenge to the country’s energy supply.
"Cabinet fully supports all efforts meant to ensure electricity supply certainty in our country," he added.
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