Solidarity launches SOE corruption whistleblower platform

1st December 2021 By: Marleny Arnoldi - Deputy Editor Online

Trade union Solidarity has launched a new protected whistleblower portal to empower employees to expose corruption at Eskom and other State-owned enterprises (SOEs).

Although this platform is launched with a specific focus on Eskom, it is also a platform where anyone can blow the whistle on corruption at any SOE and even at private enterprises, the trade union states.

The union believes that although the majority of employees at Eskom are ethical, there is nonetheless a “culture of looting and corruption” that makes it impossible for them to do their jobs effectively.

“Corruption has become institutionalised in Eskom. Internal corruption networks are stealing the power of ordinary taxpayers. There is a gangster network in Eskom and they are enriching themselves while ordinary South Africans are sitting in the dark,” says Solidarity CEO Dr Dirk Hermann.

The union says it is aware of employees that are, in turn, aware of these kinds of malpractices but who do not wish to speak out.

Solidarity assures potential whistleblowers that it will act as a watchdog to ensure action is taken by employers against those who plunder, and to ensure they are prosecuted.

“We want to cut off corruption’s oxygen supply. We trust we will be able to change the culture,” Hermann explains.

On a regular basis and without exposing the whistleblowers, Solidarity will make public reports on corruption trends that have been reported.