Truth to Power

My Three Years Inside Eskom

By: André de Ruyter

Narrated by: Nicky Rebelo

When André de Ruyter took over as Eskom CEO in January 2020, he quickly realised why it was considered the toughest job in South Africa.

Aside from neglected equipment, ageing power stations and an eroded skills base, he discovered that Eskom was crippled by corruption on a staggering scale. Fake fuel oil deliveries at just one power station cost Eskom R100 million per month; kneepads retailing for R150 a pair were purchased for R80 000; billions of rands of equipment supposedly housed in the company’s storerooms was missing.

Faced with police inaction, he was compelled to plunge into a world that was foreign to him – a world of spies and safe houses, of bulletproof vests and bodyguards. In Truth to Power, De Ruyter tells the behind-the-scenes story of how he launched a private investigation that exposed at least four criminal cartels feeding off Eskom. While fighting this scourge, he had to deal with political interference, absurd regulations, non-paying municipalities, unfounded accusations of racism, wildcat strikes, sabotage and a poisoning attempt.

De Ruyter takes the listener inside the boardrooms and government meetings where South Africa’s future is shaped, with ministers often pulling in conflicting directions. He explains how renewable energy is the cheapest and quickest solution to our power crisis, in spite of fierce opposition from vested coal interests.

De Ruyter candidly reflects on his three years at the power utility, his successes and failures, his reasons for leaving and his hopes for the future. As someone who worked at the highest levels of the state but is not beholden to the ruling party, he is uniquely placed to speak truth to power.

©2023 LAPA Publishers (P)2023 LAPA Publishers

The ANC and its links to corruption: key insights for all South Africans

Incredible story of the arrogance of the ANC and its refusal to make decisions that will build a better life for all. An important read before you vote in 2024.

Fascinating and scary

Very interesting read. Very disappointing as a South African to hear how the pack of care and dedication to your role, let alone the greed, has impacked millions.

Incredibly insightful

Honest, witty and insightful in regards to the state of Eskom and the people on the inside. On the other hand incredibly sad to realise that it might be at a point of no return.
A very good listen and an important story to be told.

Insightful and thought provoking

Thank you to the author for the insights in this book. The honesty really helps provide some context to the nonsensical news reports that we’ve lived with in the last few years.

What an eye opener.

Finally someone has told the truth about what is happening in this state-owned utility.
Just shocking.

Very well written and loved the insight and whit.