SOUTH AFRICA — The Eskom diesel procurement investigation has reached a critical milestone following the receipt of a comprehensive independent forensic report detailing alleged irregularities surrounding diesel fuel and storage contracts. The probe, initially triggered by operational emergencies and whistleblower tip-offs, is now undergoing rigorous internal legal and quality assurance reviews.
The inquiry was originally launched in March 2025 by Eskom’s Group Investigations and Security (GIS) division. It was initiated following the monitoring of contract performance during the operational emergencies involving load shedding experienced early last year, coupled with internal tip-offs. To strengthen the evidentiary base of the probe, the utility previously expanded the scope of work regarding contract management beyond an initial interim report. This expansion included extensive document analysis, supplementary interviews, and digital forensic reviews of critical records.
According to the state-owned power utility, the independent forensic firm has now delivered its final comprehensive report. The findings are currently progressing through mandatory internal corporate governance, legal review, and quality assurance processes. These procedural steps are designed to ensure that all conclusions strictly meet the necessary evidentiary and procedural standards required to support future disciplinary and legal actions.
Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane assured the public that the utility is handling the diesel procurement matter with precision.
“We remain committed to taking the corrective actions on the findings of this investigation with the appropriate level of legal thoroughness given what is at stake,” Marokane stated. He confirmed that stakeholders will receive a comprehensive update at the conclusion of the quality assurance process, which is anticipated by the end of July.
Due to the sensitive nature of the ongoing legal and disciplinary procedures, Eskom is temporarily withholding specific details of the forensic findings. The matter has already been officially reported to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, commonly known as the Hawks, for a parallel criminal investigation.
The utility emphasized that disclosing specifics at this stage could jeopardize the next phases of consequence management and the possibility of criminal prosecution. “Considering the internal processes currently underway as well as the consequence management steps Eskom is already taking, and may need to further take, to address the identified procurement and contract management breaches relating to this matter, and the possibility of criminal prosecution… Eskom is not in a position to engage on the details or comment further at this stage, so as not to jeopardise the next stage of the process,” the utility noted.
Concluding its statement, the power utility reiterated its stance on corporate governance, encouraging the reporting of any concerns or alleged wrongdoing. Eskom affirmed that it fully supports its established whistleblowing mechanisms and treats all submitted information with the utmost seriousness and confidentiality.