State-owned power utility Eskom has set the record straight on what it deems as baseless claims having emerged in relation to the company launching an investigation to expose whistleblowers.
The utility says it considers the claims to be “serious, concerning and malicious”.
Instead, Eskom considers whistleblowing an important aspect of uncovering acts of maleficence and corruption.
“These allegations are painting Eskom’s integrity in a bad light. More concerning is that the allegations have the potential to discourage employees from reporting irregularities, thereby reversing some of the gains in the fight against fraud and corruption,” Eskom explains.
Eskom has various channels for reporting corruption and fraudulent activities, including a hotline, an email address and the enlisted service of an independent company called Whistle Blowers.
These services enable employees, suppliers and members of the public who wish to report fraud or criminal activity to do so discreetly and anonymously. The identity of the anonymous whistleblowers is not known, not even the official with whom the complaint is raised, rendering the use of the service a form of protection for whistleblowers.
In cases where employees choose to reveal their identity when reporting suspicious activities, they are fully protected by Eskom’s Whistleblowing Policy which makes provision for the protection of whistleblowers from any kind of reprisal.
Eskom reassures its employees and the country of its commitment to protecting whistleblowers 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 whistleblowing channels to help uncover irregularities.