By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Ailing state-owned power utility Eskom has appointed Calib Cassim as acting CEO following André de Ruyter’s immediate departure this week.
Cassim’s appointment is effective immediately.
He was appointed as Eskom’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO) in November 2018 after serving as acting CFO from July 2017.
According to Eskom, Cassim will lead the Eskom management team until further notice.
He is a registered Chartered Accountant (SA) and holds a master’s degree in Business Leadership (MBL). He has over 20 years of service at Eskom.
“His qualifications and extensive experience have provided Cassim with a deep understanding and appreciation of the Eskom business and the electricity industry, especially regarding the challenges facing the financing of operations and future expansion of the industry,” the group said.
The appointment of Cassim comes two days after de Ruyter stepped down from the company with immediate effect following an explosive interview where he alleged political infighting and corruption were hampering progress at the company.
On 22 February, the Eskom board and de Ruyter reached a mutual agreement to curtail his notice period. The former CEO originally intended to resign at the end of March this year.
South Africa is facing continual rolling blackouts that are reaching record highs – crumbling the economy and stalling business.
Meanwhile SA Revenue Service (SARS) Commissioner Edward Kieswetter has categorically ruled out the possibility of taking over as CEO of Eskom.
“I am not available. I am absolutely not available for any job [in government],” he said.
It is understood that top government officials who advocated for him to take charge at the ailing power utility argued that he was best placed for the job because he once worked there.
Kieswetter previously worked as a training manager for Eskom. He later became a top manager and moved to Eskom’s Megawatt Park head office. He worked for the power utility for eight years and three months, before moving to FirstRand Bank.