The Department of Energy (DoE) wishes to acknowledge that it is aware of and supports the Hawks investigation into allegations of criminal activity by certain employees of PetroSA, which is a state owned company that reports to the DoE, through the Central Energy Fund (CEF) SOC Ltd as the shareholder.
The department was instrumental in bringing the allegations of financial mismanagement to the attention of the Hawks. Within hours of learning of the matter, the Minister of Energy formally directed the Central Energy Fund to investigate procurement undertaken during the period in question.
The investigation focused on procurement practices at PetroSA in the recent past. The department can now also confirm that it has received the final report from the CEF Board, and will make a pronouncement after the Minister has had an opportunity to consider its contents and recommendations.
The department further directs all enquiries with regards the departure of the Chairperson of PetroSA, Dr Benny Mokaba, to CEF. The CEF can be reached through Mr Mandla Tyala at CEF Group Communication, mandlat@cefgroup.co.za or 082 056 2576.
