SOUTH AFRICA — The Eskom diesel procurement investigation has advanced significantly after the state-owned power utility received a comprehensive forensic report detailing alleged irregularities in fuel and storage contracts. The matter has now been handed over to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (the Hawks) as the utility conducts stringent internal legal and quality assurance reviews.
The probe was initially initiated in March 2025 by Eskom’s Group Investigations and Security (GIS) division. This action followed the monitoring of contract performance during the severe operational emergencies and load shedding experienced early last year, alongside internal tip-offs. To build a robust evidentiary foundation, the utility broadened the investigation’s scope beyond an initial interim report. This expanded mandate incorporated deeper digital forensic reviews of critical records, supplementary interviews, and extensive document analysis.
An independent forensic firm has now submitted its final comprehensive findings. According to the utility, the dossier is currently navigating mandatory corporate governance, legal, and quality assurance protocols. These rigorous steps are designed to guarantee that all conclusions satisfy the strict evidentiary and procedural thresholds required to back upcoming disciplinary measures and legal proceedings.
Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane emphasized that the utility is managing the situation with exactitude.
“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 indicated that a formal update for stakeholders will be provided once the quality assurance phase concludes, which is projected to happen by the end of July.
Due to the delicate nature of the active legal and disciplinary processes, specific details of the forensic findings are being temporarily withheld. The utility explained that premature disclosure could compromise consequence management and potential criminal prosecutions.
“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 stated.
Concluding its statement, the power utility reiterated its dedication to ethical corporate governance. Eskom strongly encourages the reporting of any suspected wrongdoing or concerns through its established whistleblowing channels, assuring that all such disclosures are handled with strict confidentiality and the utmost seriousness.
