Fired Eskom Executive Clashes with Former CEO Over Book Allegations

In a dramatic turn of events that underscores the ongoing battles within South Africa's power utility, Eskom, a former chief procurement officer (CPO) has decided to fight back against allegations made by the utility's former CEO, André de Ruyter. Solly Tshitangano has raised the stakes by threatening legal action in response to claims made in De Ruyter's book "Truth to Power" which has seen significant traction with over 70,000 hard copies and digital versions being sold since its May 2023 publication.

Tshitangano, who served as Eskom's chief procurement officer, has been painted in an unflattering light in the top-selling memoir. Among the disputed claims, De Ruyter accuses Tshitangano of reckless spending, citing instances of paying R80,000 for knee guards and above-market prices for simple goods such as toilet paper and refuse bags. Such expenses fall drastically out of line with the standard market rates, raising questions about the procurement integrity under Tshitangano's watch.

The controversy doesn't end there. De Ruyter's book also divulges into the procedural intricacies within Eskom, including an occasion where Tshitangano allegedly shifted the blame for soaring costs at the Medupi and Kusile power stations onto former Eskom chief operating officer Jan Oberholzer during a parliamentary session. Adding fuel to the fire, De Ruyter alludes to internal email leaks and a potential conspiracy with rogue political elements.

Solly Tshitangano was officially relieved of his duties in May 2021 following allegations of gross misconduct and dereliction of duties, which culminated in a disciplinary process officiated by independent advocate Nazeer Cassim. Despite Tshitangano choosing not to submit evidence in his defense, Cassim recommended a dismissal based on the preponderance of provided evidence, including a striking forensic report.

Despite the damning findings and his subsequent firing, Tshitangano has been staunch in his defense, arguing that his portrayal in "Truth to Power" is based on untruthful, unsubstantiated, and defamatory assertions. His lawyers are pushing for an apology and retraction from De Ruyter, putting notable pressure on Penguin Random House, the book's publisher.

Meanwhile, De Ruyter and the publisher have indicated readiness to defend the contested claims, with legal representative Willem De Klerk highlighting the damage to Tshitangano's reputation even prior to the book's release. In a related matter, an independent inquiry by Senior Counsel Ishmael Semenya into Tshitangano’s accusations against De Ruyter for alleged abuse of power and discrimination found the claims to be unfounded.

The standoff between Tshitangano and the former CEO is emblematic of the broader issues plaguing state-owned enterprises in South Africa, with Eskom sitting at the forefront of the controversies. The struggle to preserve integrity and accountability within its ranks appears to be a steep hill to climb, as made apparent by these high-profile confrontations.