RUNNING FOR HIS LIFE
YOU South Africa|1 June 2023
The secrecy and drama behind former Eskom CEO André de Ruyter’s speedy exit from South Africa after exposing widespread corruption
MEGHAN LAWRENCE
RUNNING FOR HIS LIFE

A BASEBALL cap, a scraggly beard, a pair of sunglasses. Private security on high alert. A bullet-proof car. An escape into the night.

It sounds like the makings of a spy movie, yet all this and more went down the day André de Ruyter fled the country with little more than the clothes on his back and a suitcase in his hand.

There was so much secrecy and so much tension it almost didn’t feel like real life, a close confidant of the former Eskom CEO says.

The source, who’s speaking to YOU on condition of anonymity, says André had no choice but to flee. He’d upset many people in high places following his e.tv interview in February when he’d made astonishing allegations of deep-seated corruption.

There’d already been an attempt on his life last year when his coffee was laced with cyanide. He’d found a bugging device in his vehicle and he was receiving death threats. He had to get out.

“André called me and said he was going to flee the country and go to America,” the source says. “He asked me to come and see him.”

The De Ruyter family’s life had changed drastically by then and André had appointed private security to protect him and his family. Guards went everywhere with the former Eskom boss, the friend says.

“They were so strict they didn’t even want André to use his own phone anymore – they were worried it would be tracked.”

The source says André also acquired an AK-47-resistant Land Cruiser.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 1 June 2023-Ausgabe von YOU South Africa.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

Diese Geschichte stammt aus der 1 June 2023-Ausgabe von YOU South Africa.

Starten Sie Ihre 7-tägige kostenlose Testversion von Magzter GOLD, um auf Tausende kuratierte Premium-Storys sowie über 8.000 Zeitschriften und Zeitungen zuzugreifen.

WEITERE ARTIKEL AUS YOU SOUTH AFRICAAlle anzeigen
BALLON IN THE BAG
YOU South Africa

BALLON IN THE BAG

Manchester City midfielder Rodrigo Hernandez Cascante says his Ballon d'Or win is a victory for Spanish football

time-read
4 Minuten  |
14 November 2024
IT WAS ALL A LIE
YOU South Africa

IT WAS ALL A LIE

A new doccie exposes the Grey's Anatomy writer who fabricated her life story

time-read
5 Minuten  |
14 November 2024
'I WILL NEVER GIVE UP'
YOU South Africa

'I WILL NEVER GIVE UP'

After her husband, anticorruption activist Alexei Navalny, was poisoned and murdered by the Kremlin, she became the public face of Russia's opposition. In this candid interview Yulia Navalnaya opens up about life on the run, her perilous family life and why she's continuing her husband's fight to save their country

time-read
10+ Minuten  |
14 November 2024
AGREE TO DISAGREE
YOU South Africa

AGREE TO DISAGREE

Trevor Noah on how his childhood squabbles with his mother inspired his delightful new book

time-read
4 Minuten  |
14 November 2024
PAUSE THE CLOCK
YOU South Africa

PAUSE THE CLOCK

Researchers have discovered that the ageing process spikes at 44 and 60. Here's what you can do to slow it down

time-read
5 Minuten  |
14 November 2024
MPOOMY ON TOP
YOU South Africa

MPOOMY ON TOP

We chat to SA's most popular female podcaster about love, loss and her booming success

time-read
4 Minuten  |
14 November 2024
MY BROTHER IS NOT TO BLAME
YOU South Africa

MY BROTHER IS NOT TO BLAME

Tinus Drotské says his sibling, ex Bok Nǎka, is the victim in the brawl with a neighbour that landed up in court

time-read
4 Minuten  |
14 November 2024
MATT THE RECLUSE
YOU South Africa

MATT THE RECLUSE

A year after his friend's tragic death, the actor continues to shun the spotlight

time-read
4 Minuten  |
14 November 2024
A LEAP OF FAITH
YOU South Africa

A LEAP OF FAITH

After her husband tried to kill her by tampering with her parachute she thought she'd never trust a man again-but now she's found love

time-read
5 Minuten  |
14 November 2024
THEY'RE MY KIDS!
YOU South Africa

THEY'RE MY KIDS!

This West Coast woman treats her monkeys as iftheyre humans and animal activists are not happy about it

time-read
4 Minuten  |
14 November 2024