In a statement, the company announced the appointment of chief financial officer Calib Cassim “with immediate effect” as the interim CEO to replace André de Ruyter.

“Mr Cassim will lead the Eskom management team until further notice,” it said.

In the damning interview with a local TV station, Mr De Ruyter, who was due to leave in a month’s time, accused the ANC party of using Eskom as a “feeding trough”.

He also alleged that unnamed senior government officials, including a minister, were benefitting from coal deals at the utility.

The party has dismissed the accusations.

His comments seemed to have to led to his early departure.

South Africa has been enduring up to 12 hours of scheduled power cuts in recent days amid a power crisis in the country.