Photo for illustration. (Photo: Provided)
Eskom has announced that disciplinary action will be taken against several employees after an interim forensic report exposed possible irregularities with a diesel procurement and storage contract.
The investigation concentrated on diesel supply to Eskom’s open cycle gas turbine power stations which are used during emergency conditions to help limit load shedding and maintain network stability.
According to Eskom, the investigation was already started in March last year by the utility company’s own investigation and security group after monitoring contract performance during load shedding conditions earlier that year, as well as following information provided by whistleblowers.
The independent forensic firm appointed has since released an interim report. The final report is expected by mid-June.
Eskom says the interim report pointed out cases of non-compliance with internal processes in the procurement as well as management of the contracts.
“As a result of the findings in the interim report, Eskom will initiate disciplinary action against several employees who breached our procurement processes,” the statement said.
Dan Marokane, Eskom’s CEO. (Photo: Provided by Eskom)
The company says further employees may be charged once the final report is received. Action against suppliers who have violated Eskom’s procurement policy is also planned.
Mteto Nyati, Eskom’s board chairman, says the power supplier maintains a policy of zero tolerance towards corruption and any violation of processes.
“Consequence management is immediate and non-negotiable. Those implicated – whether employees or suppliers – will be held accountable by way of disciplinary action and, where warranted, criminal proceedings,” says Nyati.
The case has already been reported to the directorate for priority crimes in terms of the Act on the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities.
Dan Marokane, Eskom’s CEO, says the investigation has also shown that the utility company needs to further strengthen its controls.
The power supplier further said that diesel consumption and expenses have already decreased significantly after generation performance improved.
According to Eskom, diesel expenses from 1 April to 7 May this year amounted to around R469 million. In the previous financial year (1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026), spending on diesel was approximately R6.4 billion – significantly less than the approximately R33 billion spent in the 2023 financial year.