The National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (Numsa) is calling for Eskom’s CEO Andre de Ruyter and its COO to be axed. Numsa is also calling for the Eskom Board to step down.
The union is also rejecting a proposal made by the Democratic Alliance calling for further privatisation of the power utility.
South Africa has seen rolling blackouts for about two weeks as Eskom announced ongoing generation capacity shortages.
Numsa says it is clear that the current executive management of Eskom led by De Ruyter and Oberholzer has no idea how to resolve the crisis of load shedding at Eskom.
We urgently need qualified exec managers with engineering experience at Eskom to help us stabilize the grid. Such talent DOES exist & the governing ANC &the #Eskom board must act in the interests of the public and remove
the pair for the sake of our economic recovery— NUMSA (@Numsa_Media) November 9, 2021
Pravin Gordhan
They are accusing government of using a lackluster approach in solving the energy crisis in the country.
Political parties weigh-in on current blackouts:
Meanwhile, De Ruyter says he will not resign from his position at the embattled SOE despite the rolling blackouts experienced in the country and growing calls for him to step down.
He says the energy crisis that has gripped the country cannot be solved with a change in leadership.
VIDEO: Eskom media briefing on rolling blackouts: