Eskom boss André de Ruyter to open criminal case after threats against him on social media

10th November 2021 By: News24Wire

 Eskom boss André de Ruyter to open criminal case after threats against him on social media

Eskom CEO André de Ruyter
Photo by: Donna Slater

Eskom boss André de Ruyter is set to open a case of intimidation after receiving threats on social media. 

On Wednesday, Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha confirmed to News24 that someone from the power utility's security team would be opening a case of intimidation on behalf of De Ruyter following threatening social media posts. 

He said, "These are incitements to commit violence and crime. I don't know what time our people went to the police station and which police station, but I will find that out."

Mantshantsha did not say who the case would be opened against. However, in a series of tweets on Tuesday, Economic Freedom Fighters KwaZulu-Natal leader Vusi Khoza called on citizens to find the home addresses of De Ruyter and Public Enterprise Minister Pravin Gordhan.

"André de Ruiter [sic], Pravin Gordhan and other @Eskom_SA thugs. Let's get their home addresses and publicize them here now. Let's go to their houses, drag them out and moer them. We are gstvol (gatvol). Let's get physical with these idiots. Now is the time #Azikhale," read one of the tweets. 

The tweet has since been removed by Twitter for violating its rules.

This week, De Ruyter was in the hot seat following massive load-shedding across the country, which has led to some calling for his resignation. 

In response to this, De Ruyter said: "We serve at the pleasure and discretion of the board. Of course, if the board considers it appropriate for other people and me to resign, then that is their decision to make. We have had no conversations in this regard so far, so I do not intend to resign of my own accord."