[ad_1]
Eskom suspended two power plant managers on Thursday, September 3, 2020, in the wake of the Stage 4 load shedding. (Photo: Gallo Images / Charles Gallo)
Eskom Group Chief Executive André de Ruyter suspended two power plant managers on Thursday in the wake of the Stage 4 load shedding, with the utility citing “listless behavior on the part of management staff.” . It is a wake-up call that the managerial incompetence that has long marred Eskom’s performance will no longer be tolerated.
“In response to the escalation of the load reduction to Stage 4 over the past two days, the Eskom Board is working closely with Executive Management to quickly resolve the matter… The Board is pleased that some units have returned in service since then, but is aware that the level of failures is unacceptably high. While it is true that the aging fleet is plagued with inherited problems of neglect and skipped maintenance and is therefore susceptible to unpredictable breakdowns, it is also true that the situation is exacerbated by serious problems of listless behavior on the part of the personnel of management, ”Eskom said. statement on Friday.
“It is for this reason that the Board has strongly supported the Group Executive Director (GCE), Mr. André de Ruyter, in his action yesterday morning to summarily suspend the managers of the Tutuka and Kendal power plants on standby. disciplinary investigations. More interventions are being carried out at the Kriel and Duvha power plants ”.
“Apathetic behavior” seems like a diplomatic way of saying that managers didn’t seem to take a step. That is why they have been told to leave their posts. Finish and Ready.
The statement went on to say that three senior generation managers have been dispatched “to the sites in question (Duvha, Kriel, Tutuka and Kendal power plants) to provide in-person leadership and supervision.” So there are new sheriffs in town who will presumably read the riot act to the staff of these stations.
Crucially, De Ruyter has political and board support for his actions.
“The Board of Directors and the Executive Management have met twice in the last two days, with the Minister of Public Companies, Mr. Pravin Gordhan, to question the systemic causes of the load shedding and the measures that are being taken to repair the breakdowns ”Says the statement.
“It has been agreed that an urgent cultural change and high-level competence enhancement in the 44,000 employees, which CME initiated upon arrival, must be accelerated, promoted and strongly supported.”
This strongly suggests that accountability is finally taking root at Eskom and that the twin vices of apathy and incompetence will no longer be tolerated. Eskom is the biggest threat to the South African economy and such moves will be welcome. To be sure, many South Africans would like this spirit to spread to other state-owned companies, the governing ANC, and vital but chaotic government departments such as Home Affairs. But Eskom is a good place to start like any other. DM / BM
