Solidarity launched a new, protected whistleblower portal at a media conference today, with the aim of empowering employees to expose corruption at Eskom.
 
According to Solidarity, the majority of employees at Eskom are good people who work hard, but a culture of looting and corruption 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 tax payers. There is a gangster network in Eskom and they are enriching themselves while ordinary South Africans are sitting in the dark,” said Solidarity CEO Dr Dirk Hermann. “We are aware of employees who know of these malpractices. We also know that good people do not want to speak out, precisely because of the institutionalised nature of the corruption. Solidarity has decided to create a secure platform for good people to speak out. Solidarity will guide and protect good people who want to speak out. We, the majority of Eskom employees and South Africans, must stand up against the plundering minority. We have had enough of the looters and we have to push back.”
 
Solidarity stated that it would act as watchdog to ensure action is taken by employers against those who plunder, and to ensure that they are prosecuted. Although this platform is launched with specific focus on Eskom, it is also a platform where anyone can blow the whistle on corruption at any state-owned enterprise and even at private enterprises.
 
“The platform will become a major player in good people’s fight against looters. We want to cut off corruption’s oxygen supply. We trust we will be able to change the culture,” Hermann explained.
 
On a regular basis and without exposing the whistleblowers, Solidarity will make public reports on corruption trends that have been reported.
 
“Nothing is as dangerous as good people keeping silent. We must not allow looting to become normalised, nor should we say that it makes no difference in any case when looting is reported. The moment we do that, we have surrendered, and the thugs would be overjoyed. Looters must hear loudly and clearly: You are not protected any longer. Good people are going to blow the whistle. We want to see you in orange jumpsuits,” Hermann concluded

Issued by Solidarity