Hadebe was handed a poisoned chalice at debt-laden Eskom – expert

Eskom chief executive officer Phakamani Hadebe is leaving the debt-laden power utility at the end of July, deepening a crisis that Goldman Sachs Group described as the biggest threat to the economy.

“It is no secret that this role comes with unimaginable demands which have unfortunately had a negative impact on my health,” the outgoing CEO said in the statement.

Eskom’s debt stood at R440bn at the end of March, according to the company, and it isn’t selling enough electricity to cover its interest payments and operational costs. The utility was at the center of an alleged looting spree that mainly targeted state companies during the scandal-marred tenure of former president Jacob Zuma.

Eskom’s board was replaced and Hadebe was named its CEO shortly after President Cyril Ramaphosa took charge of the ANC in late 2017. While the new leadership made significant headway in improving financial controls, they fell short on averting rolling power blackouts as the utility’s aging fleet of poorly maintained coal-fired plants battled to keep pace with demand for power.

“It’s clear Hadebe was too slow in dealing with the critical problems at Eskom,” said Darias Jonker, a London-based director at Eurasia Group. “I don’t think he can be blamed. Essentially he was handed a poisoned chalice.”

• READ: Eskom’s turnaround imperilled as debt approaches R500bn

Yields on Eskom’s dollar bonds due in 2021 increased by two basis points following the announcement to 5.44% after falling to a one-year low earlier in the day. The rand was little changed at R14.4228 at 19:35 on Friday.

Public Enterprises Minister Pravin Gordhan, who oversees Eskom, wouldn’t comment on Hadebe’s departure. It is a matter for the board to deal with, according to Gordhan’s spokesperson, Adrian Lackay.

“Hadebe’s resignation is negative in the short-term as it will, once again, destabilise Eskom’s leadership while a new permanent CEO is appointed,” said Mike Davies, the founder of political-advisory company Kigoda Consulting.

Still, “it provides the incoming Ramaphosa government and Eskom board with an opportunity to appoint a CEO who can address Eskom’s massive operational and financial challenges”.

Hadebe’s background is mainly in capital markets. He was director of domestic debt management at the National Treasury and later headed the Land Bank.