DA, FF Plus & Cope lauds de Ruyter for his ‘bravery’
Several political parties have lauded former Eskom group CEO Andre de Ruyter following an explosive interview about criminality at the power utility.
De Ruyter left Eskom with immediate effect on Wednesday - a day after he made shocking allegations against a high-level politician and the ANC in a TV interview with broadcaster, eNCA.
DA MP Ghaleb Cachalia commended him for his bravery, describing him as a true patriot.
"During his tenure, De Ruyter increased levels of maintenance, dented debt, and pushed for a shift towards renewable energy with a firm hand on the once-flagship utility. He bravely targeted coal theft syndicates and sabotage, resulting in an attempt on his life.
"It is telling that no one in government has seen fit to thank him for his efforts – evidence of the total conflation of state and party. As De Ruyter bravely pointed out, the ANC-aligned criminal mafia remains embedded within Eskom, under the protection of the ANC government and consequently, the country’s power system has come perilously close to a total grid collapse."
Cope spokesperson Dennis Bloem called on de Ruyter to lay criminal charges of corruption and sabotage the said politician.
"A few weeks ago, there was an attempt to poison him, we suspected that he knows a lot about corruption and sabotage within Eskom and that those affected, wanted him to be permanently silenced.
"De Ruyter has decided to break his silence and point a finger at Luthuli House, and a senior cabinet minister who is operating Mafia style. De Ruyter has a constitutional duty to expose all those he knows who are involved in corruption and sabotage at Eskom."
Meanwhile, Freedom Front Plus leader Pieter Groenewald says they expect more clarity from Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan on the allegations.
"De Ruyter has the right to speak about the political interference and fraud at Eskom. It is no secret that there is immense political interference at Eskom and that a blind eye is turned to corruption.
"He reached a point where his conscience was bothering him so much that he felt he had to tell the people of South Africa what is going on at Eskom and what the real problem is."
Groenewald described de Ruyter as a whistle-blower and called on the government to ensure his safety.
"He and his family will probably have to flee the country after the exposition, people who reveal the truth and tell taxpayers exactly how their money is being stolen must flee for their lives."
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