POLITICS

Whistleblowing central to efforts to root out fraud and corruption - Eskom

Power utility reassures its employees and the country of its commitment to protecting those who speak up

Whistleblowing is central to Eskom’s efforts to rid the organisation of fraud and corruption

4 September 2023

Eskom finds the baseless claims that the organisation has launched an investigation to expose whistle-blowers serious, concerning, and malicious. The organisation considers whistle-blowing an important aspect of uncovering acts of maleficence and as a vehicle to rooting out corruption within its ranks. These allegations are painting Eskom’s integrity in a bad light. More concerning is that the allegations have a potential to discourage employees from reporting irregularities, thereby reversing some of the gains in the fight against fraud and corruption.

Eskom has various channels of reporting corruption and fraudulent activities including the enlisted service of an independent whistle-blowing company namely Whistle Blowers (Pty) Ltd. These services enable employees, suppliers and members of the public who wish to report fraud or criminal activity to do so discreetly/anonymously. The identity of the anonymous whistle-blowers is not known, not even the official with whom the complaint is raised, rendering the use of the service a form of protection to whistle-blowers.

In cases where employees choose to reveal their identity when reporting suspicious activities, they are fully protected by Eskom’s Whistle-blowing Policy which makes provision for the protection of whistle-blowers from any kind of reprisal.

Eskom reassures its employees and the country of its commitment to protecting whistle-blowers and providing support to those considering doing so. All the relevant policies and processes are reviewed regularly to uphold this commitment.

Eskom thanks its employees, suppliers and members of the public who continue to use the various whistle-blowing channels to help uncover irregularities. We would also like to request for a fair, balanced and correct reporting to be upheld at all times by our media stakeholders.

Please report fraud, corruption and illegal activities relating to the organisation via the Eskom Crime Line: 0800 11 27 22 or email: [email protected].

Issued by Eskom Media Desk, 4 September 2023