Africa-Press – South-Africa. Eskom chief financial officer Calib Cassim has been appointed as interim CEO following the abrupt departure of André de Ruyter.
He takes on the role with immediate effect, until further notice, the power utility said in a statement on Friday.
“With over 20 years of service in Eskom, his qualifications and extensive experience have provided Mr 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,” Eskom said.
“Eskom thanks his family for permitting him to assume the additional responsibilities and is grateful to Mr Cassim for stepping up to group chief executive role.”
De Ruyter was initially set to leave Eskom at the end of March, but late on Tuesday night, it was announced that he was out with immediate effect. This followed an explosive interview in which De Ruyter said a “senior politician” was involved in corruption at Eskom.
Cassim has been with Eskom since 2001, and was a former head of the utility’s regulation department. He became chief financial officer in 2018, replacing Anoj Singh. Singh, formerly a Transnet executive, is currently out on bail following charges of corruption during his time at the rail company.
A chartered account, Cassim completed his BCom at the University of Natal and his honours at Unisa. He has a master’s degree in Business Leadership.
Eskom’s chief operating officer, Jan Oberholzer, retires in April after five years in the job. Earlier this month, the Eskom board said it plans to scrap the COO position.
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