Embattled Eskom loses yet another top executive in Rhulani Mathebula

South African power utility Eskom has confirmed that the acting group executive of power generation, Rhulani Mathebula, is leaving the struggling company.

Mathebula’s departure was confirmed by Eskom’s Chief Operations Officer Jan Oberholzer in a media briefing on Tuesday.

Oberholzer said Mathebula, who spent 19 years with the power generator, Eskom, is leaving the company for health reasons which came due to the demands of the job.

Making the announcement at a briefing on Tuesday, Eskom chief operating officer Oberholzer said people need to understand the demand of the role.

“When [Mathebula] tabled his resignation, he said the demand of the job was untenable, and it impacted his health and family time. We need to understand the demand of this role, and the demand on the head of generation in turning this ship around,” said Oberholzer.

BusinessTech Africa has found that Mathebula, is leaving the power utility, Eskom, with immediate effect, and the company has already roped his successor.

As media reports indicate, Mathebula’s resignation comes as the second change to the position at Eskom in almost six months.

News24 has it that the outgoing executive, Mathebula, was hired following the departure of Philip Dukashe who resigned from the position in May this year.

In addition, Mathebula is an Eskom veteran, having joined the utility close to two decades ago and Oberholzer announced that Eskom has brought Thomas Conradie as Eskom’s new acting group executive for a generation.

Conradie is also a veteran and someone who has been with the embattled power generator, Eskom for almost 24 years.

Back in 2014, Conradie has been managing the Lethabo power station near Vereeniging in the Vaal area and as part of his scope, he also oversaw the Kriel, Matla, and Majuba power stations in the Mpumalanga province.

Judging his educational background, Oberholzer boasts of an MBA from Unisa plus a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Stellenbosch University in the Western Cape.

With South Africa still facing the challenge of load shedding as it continues to worsen to record levels, Eskom has seen high-profile departures in recent months.

Including those who left the company is Mandy Rambharos, who quit to join a US non-profit. Earlier this year, Riedewaan Barkadien, the chief nuclear officer, stepped down following 27 years of service at Eskom.

Just last month, Eskom’s board was replaced and the new directors have been handed the fate of CEO Andre de Ruyter, who is fighting hard to keep his job.