André de Ruyter on Wednesday resigned as chief executive of South Africa’s embattled power utility Eskom as pressure mounted for the company to find a lasting solution to rolling blackouts.
Announcing the resignation on Wednesday, Eskom board chairperson Mpho Makwana said de Ruyter had “agreed to stay for an additional period beyond the stipulated 30 days’ notice to ensure continuity while we urgently embark on a search for his successor.”
“His last day at Eskom will be March 31 2023,” Makwana said.
De Ruyter has recently come under fire for failing to halt ongoing power cuts that have worsened over the past year.
The blackouts have seen parts of South Africa having up to eight hours a day without electricity.
One of the criticisms came from Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe who last week accused Eskom of using the power crisis to effect regime change in South Africa.
De Ruyter becomes the 10th chief executive to leave Eskom in 10 years.
JN/APA