Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan admitted that he was the minister former Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter told about corruption at Eskom. De Ruyter said in a television interview last week that he had told a cabinet minister about corruption and criminality at the power utility, and he was told to 'let others eat' by a minister he didn't mention. De Ruyter resigned in December 2022 but was willing to serve until March this year until the power utility finds a suitable replacement, but he was ousted on Wednesday, soon after the explosive interview.  

RUMOURS

Gordhan said De Ruyter pointed out certain individuals involved in corruption at Eskom. Minister Gordhan said he could not act on the allegations made by De Ruyter because they were merely rumours without substantial evidence. "Yes, he has made allusions about certain individuals, but it was precisely that. As far as the law is concerned, I can't just arbitrarily point to someone and say that person is involved in whatever the suggestion is about being corrupt or being involved in corruption. We can't rely on rumour,' Gordhan said. He added that the government cannot rely on suspicion or what even certain publications call intelligence. "There's a distinction between that and evidence. If Mr de Ruyter has the evidence which I don't know off, he should take the initiative and do what's legally required of him. As a minister I can't be expected to act on rumours and point fingers at people. I don't have the evidence, I only have a suggestion, there is a legal process in South Africa that follows the legal process. I'm sure de Ruyter has more than what he was suggesting.'

CRIMINAL CASE

On Monday, Build One South Africa (Bosa) leader Mmusi Maimane opened a criminal case at Cape Town Central police station against who he says are well connected individuals who have looted billions of rand from Eskom over the past decade. "We need to know the names of the ministers involved in criminality, we need to know what the president knew and what he did after being informed," Maimane said.