Eskom Denies Disclosing List Of Candidates Shortlisted For CEO's Post

Eskom, the only company responsible for providing electricity in South Africa, expressed concern over leaked information about the CEO shortlist and denied disclosing the finalized names.

Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena shared that it does not provide details on the recruitment process until the appointment has been made.

"This is because discretion and confidentiality are essential when hiring executive candidates," Mokwena said on Monday, Mail&Guardian reported. We will not be in a position to provide any other details on this process, beyond where we are in the process until this is concluded."

He confirmed that based on "leaked information" about the names of the candidates shortlisted for the post of CEO, the company is receiving questions.

"Eskom is concerned about this and dissociates itself from such," he said. "Secondly, we would like to confirm that the information regarding the shortlist of the candidates for the GCE position has not been communicated."

He continued to explain that the company's principle doesn't allow anyone to provide candidates' details until they have been appointed.

However, Eskom confirmed that all the interviews have been concluded and the successful candidate's name will be announced at the "appropriate time."

The company is looking for a new CEO following former CEO Andre de Ruyter's resignation abruptly in February. Ruyter claimed that Eskom members are involved in corruption.

Following his exit, former Eskom chief financial officer, Calib Cassim took over his position temporarily until the appointment of a new CEO. President Cyril Ramaphosa appointed electricity minister Kgosientso Ramokgopa on March 1.

The new CEO will be working with the electricity minister in order to cut down the load-shedding in the country.

However, De Ruyter's claims of the high level of corruption in the company seemed to be not completely false as South Africa Government News Agency reported on May 14 that Eskom has welcomed the arrest of a former short-term contract employee named Zandile Rosemary Ngcobo over fraud and corruption allegations.

Furthermore, a former Eskom official named Nwabisa Ngxola, who used to work as an administrative clerk, was sentenced to 10 years of imprisonment for defrauding the power utility of R2.6 million.

Ahead of these two arrests, Minister Ramokgopa had turned down De Ruyter's allegations, saying that load-shedding problems are technical and it has nothing to do with "so-called corruption."