Calib Cassim says he hasn’t applied for Eskom CEO post, but is in discussions on CFO role

Eskom's acting group CEO Calib Cassim remains tight-lipped on the appointment of a permanent candidate nearly seven months after André de Ruyter's dramatic exit.

However, he did indicate that he has not applied for the post and is in discussions about extending his contract as Eskom's CFO.

Cassim made these remarks during an Eskom briefing on Wednesday on the state of the grid and the outlook for summer.

He was joined by the heads of generation, distribution and transmission Bheki Nxumalo, Monde Bala and Segomoco Scheppers respectively.

City Press reported on Sunday that the appointment of a permanent CEO before Cassim's contract expires in December appears slim.

This, according to the publication, comes after public enterprises minister Pravin Gordhan rejected the board's chosen candidate. It also referenced apparent confusion concerning the ailing utility's preferred candidate.

Cassim refused to be drawn into the matter at the briefing, saying the issue is being addressed and the board will inform the public once a selection has been made.

“I have not applied in terms of the process of [appointing] the CEO. I think the CFO role still has a lot of work that needs to be done and completed,” he said.

On whether he will stay on after his contract has expired, Cassim said: “On the CFO, we will have those discussions, and if it makes sense for me to extend my contract, I would consider it. But discussions are still ongoing.”

Cassim was appointed interim group CEO in February after De Ruyter left the ailing power utility by mutual agreement with the board following an eNCA interview in which he made explosive allegations about Eskom's inner workings and his experience as CEO. 

His exit came after he was slammed by Gordhan for “meddling” in politics instead of focusing on ending load-shedding.

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