Johannesburg- Eskom CEO André de Ruyter left his former employment at Sasol under a dark cloud after he and other company executives were alleged to have exchanged “inappropriate” e-mails of a racist nature that could have exposed “Sasol to immense reputational risk”.
The explosive revelations are contained in a report compiled by law firm Werksmans Attorneys, which was commissioned by then Sasol CEO David Constable as part of an investigation into allegations that his office was being undermined by De Ruyter and other executives of the company.
Constable gave Werksmans Attorneys unfettered access to Sasol servers to investigate “the share trading of certain executives”.
Sunday World can reveal that during their probe, Werkmans’ investigators – led by senior lawyer Bernard Hotz – stumbled upon racist e-mail exchanges between De Ruyter and his colleagues, in which they ridiculed the late ANC struggle icon Winnie Madikizela-Mandela and EFF leader Julius Malema.
[membership level=”1″]
In one e-mail sent to an executive named Beijin Huis on March 27, 2013, Ruyter shares a racist joke about the late Madikizela-Mandela and the late former British prime minister Margaret Thatcher, with the punchline being a pun on the Iron Lady and “ironing lady”.
In another e-mail, this time sent by an executive named Fourie Charmain to De Ruyter on August 16, 2013, the executive narrates a joke about Malema with the kicker “whites are on a separate list, the are called tax-payers”.
“Some inappropriate material of a racist nature and tone has been discovered in the e-mails of Mr. Andre de Ruyter … Two mails, in particular, are highly charged politically and present a significant reputational risk to Sasol,” the report reads.
Hotz confirmed he had conducted the forensic investigation and submitted his report to Sasol but declined to comment further, citing client confidentiality. He, however, emphasized that the report was accepted by Sasol.
Sasol spokesperson Alex Anderson confirmed the group had commissioned the forensic investigators.
“In the ordinary course of business, Sasol undertakes enquiries to enhance its governance and control environment across the company and, where necessary, make such reports to regulatory authorities as may be required.”
“With respect to executive share transactions, which was the purview of the Werksmans report in 2013, we have very strict compliance requirements and, from time to time, may elect to review select transactions with the assistance of the company’s independent legal advisors and such forensic consultants, as they may direct to assist in their attorney work product, which is confidential and privileged.”
“In 2013, a review into the share trading of certain executives was undertaken. While this confidential review was underway and not in the purview of affected executives, Mr Andre de Ruyter resigned with the effect of 30 November 2013, which was not a consequence of any conclusion relating to this investigation,” he said.
De Ruyter said he was concerned about damaging allegations contained in the report.
“It is obviously deeply concerning that such an alleged report making extremely serious and damaging allegations against any individual is being circulated when such individual has never even been apprised of the fact that such an investigation had been conducted, and neither has been given an opportunity to respond to any investigation nor comment on the findings of such an alleged report.
“It is very disappointing but not entirely surprising that such an alleged report that appears to be an incomplete hatchet job is now being circulated with a view to inflicting maximum damage to my reputation,” he said.
Eskom board chairman Professor Malegapuru Makgoba said the racism allegations against De Ruyter were preposterous.
“Eskom has recently concluded its own independent investigation into alleged racism on the part De Ruyter, conducted by advocate Semenya SC. This concerted, persistent obsession with allegations of racism against Mr. De Ruyter is preposterous.”
To read more political news and views from this week’s newspaper, click here.
Follow @SundayWorldZA on Twitter and @sundayworldza on Instagram, or like our Facebook Page, Sunday World, by clicking here for the latest breaking news in South Africa. To Subscribe to Sunday World, click here.
Sunday World
[/membership] [pmpro_signup submit_button=”Register” level=”1″ login=”1″ redirect=”referrer” short=”false” title=”Register to view Exclusive Content” short=”true” custom_fields=”true”]
