Outgoing Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter has confirmed that an attempt was made on his life after someone allegedly tried to poison him with cyanide.
The former Eskom boss survived an alleged attempt on his life only a day after he had tendered his resignation.
De Ruyter confirmed the news with various publications, revealing that doctors had found elevated levels of cyanide in his blood on December 13, 2022.
According to EE Business Intelligence, De Ruyter became ill, was ill, dizzy and confused, shaking uncontrollably and was vomiting before he collapsed after drinking a cup of coffee in his office at Eskom Megawatt Park in Sunninghill.
He was rushed to his doctor’s room where his condition was diagnosed as cyanide poisoning, and treated accordingly. Tests taken subsequently confirmed the massively elevated levels of cyanide in his body.
“I have reported the matter to the SAPS on January 5, and the case can be assumed to be under investigation,” he told EE Business Intelligence.
Eskom announced De Ruyter’s departure from the group on 14 December 2022, with the current plan for the CEO to stay until 31 March 2023. The group has not yet found a replacement- a process which is likely to be a struggle, given the extreme difficulties that come with the role.
The resignation puts Eskom’s leadership team in question, with chief operating officer Jan Oberholzer set to retire in April 2023. Eskom’s general executive for generation, Rhulani Mathebula, also recently resigned from his position and left the utility at the end of November 2022.
De Ruyter, who has served at the power utility as CEO for the past three years, resigned in the midst of the worst energy crisis that the country has ever faced with 8 to 10-hour power cuts daily and ongoing calls for him to be removed from the position.
Source: News24, IOL, Business Tech, Eyewitness News, image from Twitter: @AdvoBarryRoux
