The state-owned power utility confirmed on Monday that it had received the comprehensive forensic report into tender MWP2197GX, which covers the procurement and storage of diesel used to operate its open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs).
Image: SIGCINIWE
Eskom is taking steps to hold individuals accountable for alleged irregularities in its diesel procurement processes, after receiving the final forensic report into a controversial fuel and storage tender that has been under investigation for more than a year.
The state-owned power utility confirmed on Monday that it had received the comprehensive forensic report into tender MWP2197GX, which covers the procurement and storage of diesel used to operate its open-cycle gas turbines (OCGTs).
The report is now undergoing governance, legal and quality assurance reviews before its recommendations are implemented.
The investigation, launched in March 2025, follows allegations of procurement irregularities uncovered during contract performance monitoring. Eskom said the initial findings were later reinforced by information received through its whistleblower reporting channels.
The outcome of the investigation could have serious consequences, with disciplinary proceedings already underway against implicated procurement officials and the matter now firmly before South Africa’s elite crime-fighting unit, the Hawks.
This is the second major public update Eskom has issued on the investigation.
In May this year, the utility revealed that the procurement-related findings were already substantial enough to warrant disciplinary proceedings against identified officials.
Since then, investigators have broadened the scope of their work to strengthen the evidentiary record. The additional investigation included further document reviews, supplementary witness interviews and digital forensic analysis aimed at ensuring the findings can withstand both internal disciplinary processes and potential criminal prosecution.
Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane said the utility would ensure every recommendation is implemented with the necessary legal rigour.
“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. We will update stakeholders at the end of the quality assurance process, which is expected to be by the end of July,” Marokane said in a statement.
In a significant escalation, Eskom confirmed that it has already referred the matter to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), commonly known as the Hawks, in compliance with Section 34(4) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA).
The legislation requires individuals in positions of authority to report suspected corruption to law enforcement authorities.
Once Eskom completes its internal quality assurance process, the full forensic report will be formally handed over to the Hawks, providing investigators with what could become key evidence should criminal charges ultimately be pursued.
For now, Eskom says it cannot disclose further details.
“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 said.
The investigation centres on one of Eskom’s most politically and financially sensitive areas of expenditure.
During the country’s severe loadshedding crisis in 2022 and 2023, Eskom spent billions of rand on diesel to keep its OCGTs running as emergency generation capacity. Although the turbines are expensive to operate, they have become essential in preventing an even deeper electricity supply crisis and reducing the risk of a total grid collapse.
Those extraordinary diesel expenditures have long attracted scrutiny from Parliament, civil society organisations and energy analysts, who questioned procurement practices, pricing, supplier contracts and overall value for money.
Tender MWP2197GX, therefore, sits at the intersection of two of South Africa’s biggest governance challenges: maintaining energy security while safeguarding public procurement from corruption.
The origins of the investigation also point to a combination of internal oversight mechanisms and whistleblower disclosures.
The alleged irregularities first surfaced through routine contract monitoring before additional information received through Eskom’s reporting channels prompted the utility to commission a full forensic investigation.
While Eskom’s internal control systems have often faced criticism, the utility says those mechanisms ultimately identified irregularities serious enough to justify a comprehensive forensic probe.
Eskom expects the quality assurance process to be completed by the end of July 2026.
Once finalised, the forensic report will be submitted to the Hawks, while the utility is expected to provide a further public update on the implementation of its recommendations.
The identities of officials facing disciplinary action have not yet been disclosed, and Eskom has also declined to identify any suppliers or external service providers who may be implicated.
Those details are likely to emerge only if criminal charges are formally instituted or court proceedings begin.