Truth to Power: My Three Years Inside Eskom

André de Ruyter, who took over as Eskom CEO in 2020, discovered that the company was crippled by corruption on a staggering scale. He launched a private investigation that exposed at least four criminal cartels feeding off Eskom and had to deal with political interference, absurd regulations, non-paying municipalities, unfounded accusations of racism, wildcat strikes, sabotage, and a poisoning attempt. He explains how renewable energy is the cheapest and quickest solution to South Africa's power crisis, in spite of fierce opposition from vested coal interests.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 328 pages
Publication date: 14 May 2023
Publisher: Penguin Random House South Africa

When André de Ruyter assumed the role of Eskom CEO in January 2020, he quickly grasped the magnitude of the challenge that lay ahead. Beyond the neglected equipment, aging power stations, and a dwindling skills base, he uncovered a profound corruption crisis that had crippled the organization. Fake fuel oil deliveries at a single power station alone cost Eskom R100 million monthly, while overpriced kneepads were purchased for R80 000. Billions of rands of equipment purportedly stored in the company's storerooms were missing.

Faced with the inaction of the police, de Ruyter was compelled to immerse himself in a realm unfamiliar to him—a world of espionage, safe houses, bulletproof vests, and bodyguards. In his book, Truth to Power, de Ruyter shares the behind-the-scenes account of how he initiated a private investigation that exposed at least four criminal cartels profiting from Eskom. Throughout his fight against this scourge, he navigated political interference, absurd regulations, non-paying municipalities, unfounded accusations of racism, wildcat strikes, sabotage, and even a poisoning attempt.

De Ruyter takes the reader into the boardrooms and government meetings where the future of South Africa is shaped, often witnessing ministers pulling in conflicting directions. He elucidates how renewable energy emerges as the most cost-effective and expedient solution to the country's power crisis, despite fierce opposition from vested coal interests. De Ruyter candidly reflects on his three years at Eskom, sharing his successes, failures, reasons for leaving, and aspirations for the future. As someone who has worked at the highest levels of the state but remains independent of the ruling party, de Ruyter possesses a unique position to speak truth to power.

Weight: 412g
Dimension: 157 x 232 x 28 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781776390625