Since receiving the comprehensive report from the independent forensic firm at the end of June regarding the investigation into possible irregularities relating to the procurement of diesel fuel and storage contracts, State-owned Eskom says it has continued to progress the matter through the required internal corporate governance, legal review and quality assurance processes.

In a media release, Eskom says this is to ensure that all findings meet the necessary evidentiary and procedural standards to support any disciplinary and legal action that may arise from the investigation.

Eskom notes that it has since conducted, through a third-party service provider, a physical verification and reconciliation process to confirm diesel deliveries against invoices related to tender and received an independent verification report confirming that there were no discrepancies between the diesel delivered or available to Eskom and the amounts paid, as at June 30.

The utility says disciplinary action against the identified procurement officials relating to adherence to the procurement processes, is continuing.

“On assessment of the findings of the investigation report, it became apparent that further document analysis and interpretation, supplementary interviews and consideration of identified legal aspects of the management of contracts were required to test the legal soundness.

“While we had envisaged that the legal analysis would be completed by July 31, due to the volume and complexity of the analysis required, a further and final update will be issued by no later than August 31. The legal analysis being undertaken is critical to support any eventual action relating to this investigation.

“These matters are dealt with as the highest priority to enable their completion as soon as possible,” Eskom says in the release.

NEXT STEPS

Considering the internal processes currently under way, Eskom says it is not in a position to engage on the details or comment further at this stage.

The utility says it will provide a further update by no later than August 31.

“Eskom supports and encourages the reporting of any concerns or alleged wrongdoing through its established whistleblowing and reporting mechanisms and treats all such information with the necessary seriousness and confidentiality,” it notes.