Eskom applauds the Hawks securing a conviction on a fraud case involving an ex-Eskom manager

21 June 2016 

Eskom is progressing well with the maintenance of its power generating plant whilst supplying the country’s electricity needs. The power system remains stable, with no load shedding anticipated for this winter and beyond. We urge customers to continue to use electricity sparingly and to report illegal connections and cable theft anonymously on 0800 11 27 22.

Separately, Eskom welcomes the conviction of its former senior manager Mr Dawid Malherbe who was found guilty of fraud and money laundering by the Bellville Specialised Commercial Court on Friday last week.

Mr Malherbe was arrested in 2013 after Eskom alerted the Hawks of suspected irregularities in which he allegedly, as a Director of one of Eskom’s subsidiaries, facilitated the award of a tender to his own company.

Internal investigations by Eskom as well as the reports from external auditors found that Mr Malherbe’s actions amounted to wasteful and fruitless expenditure on the part of Eskom.

According to the Hawks, sentencing proceedings are scheduled for 11 August 2016 at the same court.

The Hawks involvement was a result of a partnership that Eskom had entered into with the government's corruption fighting agency, the Special Investigating Unit (SIU), in March 2011. The three-year partnership sought to uncover any corrupt practices or conflicts of interest, and identify risks for Eskom, including contract fraud and legal non-compliance.

The partnership helped to ensure that Eskom is ethical, well governed and has appropriate fraud detection and prevention measures in place. If corrupt activities are found, by Eskom staff or contractors, appropriate action is taken with immediate effect, including criminal prosecution if it is warranted.

Issued by Eskom Media Desk, 21 June 2016