German software firm SAP SE said it found compliance irregularities and "indications of misconduct" in some of its public sector deals in South Africa.
The company said an investigation into software contracts with state-run Transnet SOC Ltd. and Eskom discovered that payments were made to entities related to the Gupta family, which allegedly used ties to former South African President Jacob Zuma to get various state favors.
However, SAP said it found no evidence of payments to any South African government official or employee of state-run companies in connection with the Transnet and Eskom deals.
Three senior executives suspended by SAP in October 2017 resigned without severance pay amid the controversy, the company said.
"The investigation has confirmed that even strong compliance systems are vulnerable, and therefore require eternal vigilance," said SAP board member Adaire Fox-Martin, who leads the company's business in the Middle East and Africa. "While we cannot turn back the clock, we can promise to do better."
SAP said the findings have prompted changes to its global compliance processes, including the removal of sales commissions on public sector deals in South Africa and other countries perceived as risky for corruption.
"We remain committed to this country and the rest of the continent, and to growing our business and investment here," Fox-Martin said.
The company said it will continue to investigate its public sector dealings in South Africa going back to 2010.
In November 2017, SAP said it had also started an investigation into its business activities in the Persian Gulf region.
