Eskom says the ongoing collaboration between its internal security investigations team and law-enforcement agencies is yielding positive results following the arrest of four employees and a contractor security guard for alleged theft of heavy fuel oil at the Camden Power Station.
Eskom on Wednesday confirmed the accused have been charged in connection with the alleged theft of heavy fuel oil to the tune of R500 000.
The arrests were made on Friday at midnight when two Eskom Weighbridge Operators were apprehended for their role in colluding to steal heavy fuel oil and defraud the company.
After further investigation, authorities arrested two additional Eskom employees, a weighbridge operator and a control room operator as well as a contractor security guard.
The accused are in custody and the case is expected back in court later this month on August 27.
The investigation began during a routine quality inspection of coal deliveries at Camden Power Station by Eskom’s Security Investigation team.
A suspicious-looking truck that was attempting to leave the station was intercepted, and the driver was asked to park on the side of the road, Eskom said.
On presenting a weighbridge slip, the driver claimed that 30 610kg of heavy fuel oil had been offloaded at Camden Power Station. Yet a subsequent inspection revealed that the truck was still fully loaded with the fuel oil.
The driver fled the scene, triggering further investigations that led to the arrests.
“The ongoing collaboration between Eskom’s internal security investigations team and law-enforcement agencies, co-ordinated by the National Energy Crisis Committee’s (Necom) Safety and Security Priority Committee, is yielding positive results
in our efforts to combat crime and corruption,” said Eskom’s acting general manager for security, Botse Sikhwitshi.
“While the majority of our employees are hardworking and dedicated to enhancing Eskom’s performance, we are fully committed to eradicating corruption.
“The recent arrests are a positive step in our ongoing efforts to eliminate criminal activities within our organisation, reaffirming Eskom’s zero-tolerance approach to crime and corruption,” he said.
Eskom, in collaboration with various law-enforcement agencies, also confirmed the removal of more than 35 illegally connected transformers in Diepsloot Extension 6, in Gauteng this week.
The joint operation was part of Eskom’s ongoing efforts, it said, to reclaim its network and alleviate the strain caused by unauthorised and illegal electricity connections.
In the 2022/23 financial year, Eskom experienced non-technical losses of around R5 billion due to illegal connections, meter bypasses, and other electricity-related criminal activities within its supply area.
“We maintain a clear stance of zero tolerance towards crime and corruption.
“Consequently, we are currently investigating allegations from community leaders that some Eskom employees are allegedly involved in the sale of illegal transformers.
“We will update community leaders on the outcomes of these investigations once they are concluded,” said the parastatal.
Eskom urged the public to report any unlawful activities, such as fraud, illegal electricity sales, theft of coal, fuel oil, diesel, and crimes targeting critical infrastructure.
Reports can be made anonymously via the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 11 27 22 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323.
Cape Times