Public Interest SA Commends Eskom’s Intensified Anti-Corruption Measures and Renewed Commitment to Accountability

Johannesburg, South Africa. Friday, 15 May 2026 - Public Interest SA welcomes the latest steps announced by Eskom in relation to the investigation into alleged irregularities surrounding diesel procurement and storage contracts.

The measures outlined by Eskom, including disciplinary action against implicated employees and suppliers, the involvement of law enforcement authorities, and the reinstatement of proactive assurance and full-scope probity reviews on high-value tenders, represent an important demonstration of institutional commitment to confronting corruption and governance failures within the utility.

Of particular significance is Eskom’s acknowledgement of the critical role played by whistleblowing and internal reporting mechanisms in bringing suspected wrongdoing to light. Public Interest SA has consistently maintained that effective whistleblower systems are indispensable to safeguarding public institutions, protecting public resources, and strengthening constitutional governance.

The decision to report the matter to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation in compliance with the Prevention and Combating of Corrupt Activities Act further reflects a welcome appreciation of the need for accountability processes that extend beyond internal disciplinary measures where criminal conduct may be implicated.

Public Interest SA also notes positively Eskom’s indication that consequence management will apply not only to employees but also to suppliers found to have breached procurement rules and ethical standards. Corruption within state institutions often flourishes through collusion between internal officials and external actors, making comprehensive accountability essential.

Commenting on the statement, Tebogo Khaas, chairperson of Public Interest SA, said:

"While the interim findings remain subject to the final forensic report, the public communication issued by Eskom demonstrates a degree of transparency and responsiveness that is necessary to rebuilding public trust in state-owned entities. Importantly, Eskom’s renewed focus on governance, internal audit capacity, forensic capability, and procurement oversight signals an understanding that anti-corruption efforts must be institutionalised and sustained rather than episodic."

Public Interest SA encourages Eskom to continue strengthening protections for whistleblowers and individuals who report wrongdoing in good faith, including ensuring confidentiality, protection against retaliation, and visible follow-through on credible disclosures.

South Africa’s ongoing fight against corruption requires institutions that are willing to confront misconduct proactively, irrespective of rank, influence, or commercial interests. Eskom’s latest interventions, if pursued consistently and transparently through to finality, could mark an important contribution toward restoring integrity, accountability, and ethical governance within one of the country’s most critical public institutions.

ENDS

NOTE TO EDITORS:

Public Interest SA’s Procurement Barometer is an independent governance and accountability initiative aimed at strengthening transparency, ethical compliance, and public oversight within South Africa’s public procurement ecosystem.

The Barometer serves as a monitoring and reporting mechanism designed to assess how government departments, municipalities, state-owned entities, and other public institutions comply with procurement legislation, ethical standards, and constitutional principles relating to fairness, competitiveness, transparency, and value for money.

The initiative evaluates procurement trends, governance risks, expenditure patterns, tender integrity, and indicators of potential corruption or maladministration. It further seeks to enhance civic participation by making procurement-related information and performance indicators more accessible to the public, policymakers, researchers, journalists, and oversight bodies.

The Procurement Barometer forms part of Public Interest SA’s broader mission to promote ethical governance, accountability, and institutional integrity.

Through data analysis, stakeholder engagement, public reporting, and procurement monitoring, the initiative aims to identify systemic weaknesses, promote responsible public spending, support economic inclusion, and strengthen early detection of procurement irregularities.

The Barometer additionally places emphasis on monitoring budget allocation versus actual expenditure in order to identify inefficiencies and service delivery risks associated with underspending or procurement failures.

More information is available by clicking: Public Interest SA Procurement Barometer