Eskom substation

Two Eskom contracted security guards have been arrested for stealing cables. Photo: Eskom

Eskom confirms two acts of SABOTAGE at Tutuka Power Station

‘Eskom believes these were deliberate acts of sabotage by someone who had access to the site where only employees have access and knows the security features in the area quite well.’

Eskom substation

Two Eskom contracted security guards have been arrested for stealing cables. Photo: Eskom

Eskom confirmed that two acts of sabotage were carried out at the Tutuka Power Station near Standerton, Mpumalanga, in a statement on Thursday, 19 May.

ESKOM HIT BY SABOTAGE AGAIN

Eskom said a cable was severed at Tutuka Power Station while the station was finalising preparations to return Unit 5 to service this week.

“The damage to the cable had the effect of delaying the unit’s return to service by three days as it took some time to locate the fault,” said the national power supplier.

Once the cable was located it was quickly repaired and the return to service of Unit 5 resumed.

A few hours later, a station control air pressure drop was detected and the same Turbine systems in Unit 5, which take in air for operation, were de-energised.

“It was later discovered that the control air pipe supplying the Turbine systems had been cut with a power tool and the entire bend removed.”

The damage was repaired and the unit was expected to return to service on Thursday.

“Eskom believes these were deliberate acts of sabotage by someone who had access to the site where only employees have access and knows the security features in the area quite well,” said the power supplier.

Eskom has opened a case with the South African Police Service. A forensic team is helping with the criminal investigation.

The power supplier said the Tutuka incident was the fifth incident of sabotage since March 2021. All matters have been reported to the police.

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