Fin24 reports that Eskom CEO André de Ruyter, who is facing allegations of racism, says he won't step aside while a probe against him is being conducted.

Apparently, the power utility’s board did consider whether or not to put him on suspension, but decided against it. De Ruyter, who is working to implement measures aimed at steering the power utility out of an electricity supply crisis, is set to be investigated barely a year after his arrival at the state-owned entity (SOE) following allegations levelled against him by suspended chief procurement officer Solly Tshitangano. The Eskom board announced last Tuesday that it would be appointing an independent senior counsel to lead an investigation into the allegations. Tshitangano has accused De Ruyter of racial bias against black suppliers and flouting procurement guidelines. The allegations have also prompted an investigation by Parliament's public finance oversight body. On Monday, De Ruyter said: "I would love to take voluntary leave, but the demands of the job don't allow it. I am going to stick around at Eskom and do my best to turn the organisation around. I welcome the investigation; I think it will be a good opportunity to fully ventilate all of the charges made against me ... they're not only restricted to racism, but other elements." Eskom, meanwhile, is currently battling ongoing power-supply constraints.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Sibongile Khumalo at Fin24 (paywall access only)

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