Eskom Faces Potential Criminal Prosecution
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Eskom, South Africa's national power supplier, received a report on 29 June 2026, which has the potential to lead to criminal charges against employees or suppliers. The report relates to possible irregularities surrounding the procurement of diesel fuel and storage for the power supplier's Open Cycle Gas Turbine (OCGT) power stations.
Eskom's Group Investigations and Security (GIS) initiated the investigation in March 2025 into tender MWP2197GX. This most recent report is the second received on the matter. It is currently under internal review at Eskom.
They had previously reported the matter to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (DPCI), also known as the Hawks. The diesel procurement in this current investigation relates to the supply of diesel to Eskom's OCGT power stations.
Eskom also utilises diesel-fired capacity from two Independent Power Producer (IPP) stations as part of its broader operations. But the state power supplier confirmed that these are not under investigation. Diesel is expensive, and Eskom spent R615.58 million on it from just 1 April 2026 to 11 June 2026.
This is less than the R4.112 billion spent over the same period last year. However, the amount is still significant. Eskom Board Chairman Mteto Nyati highlighted that the company takes financial losses resulting from alleged criminality very seriously.
The Board's commitment to this is absolute and will not waver. Eskom flagged the case to the DPCI earlier in the year, on suspicion of fraud and corruption. Section 34 (4) of the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act (PRECCA) requires such reporting.
What's Next?
Dan Marokane, Eskom Group Chief Executive, stated they will provide an update after the quality assurance processes, which are likely to be at the end of July. The report will reach the Hawks once its quality assurance checks conclude. 'Those implicated, whether employees or suppliers,' Nyati stated, 'will be held accountable through disciplinary action and, where warranted, criminal processes.'
Given the potentially criminal nature of the case, it will undergo internal corporate governance, legal review, and quality assurance processes. Eskom confirmed the report is currently being handled internally in line with its internal governance process. The investigation is ongoing, and the power supplier's employees or suppliers may soon find themselves facing the law.