Eskom COO Jan Oberholzer. Image: @OberholzerMr / Twitter
Suspect behind Eskom bomb threat is an EFF branch chair
The accused allegedly complained about nepotism at Eskom and sent the bomb threat to Oberholzer when he received no response.
Eskom COO Jan Oberholzer. Image: @OberholzerMr / Twitter
The suspect who allegedly sent a bomb threat to the Eskom Chief Operating Officer (COO), Jan Oberholzer, in May 2022 is the chairperson of an EFF branch in Witbank, Mpumalanga, according to the Hawks.
BOMB THREAT RELATED TO WORK OPPORTUNITIES AT ESKOM
Thapelo Mnisi, 27, appeared in the Witbank Magistrate’s Court on Monday on charges of contravening the South African Explosives Act 15 of 2003. As previously reported, he was granted R2000 bail and the matter was postponed to 17 January 2023.
“Mnisi from KwaGuqa in Witbank allegedly sent a bomb threat message to Eskom’s Chief Operations Officer (COO) in May this year. The alleged bomb threat message was preceded with reports of nepotism at Eskom and when his complaint was not responded to, he launched an attack on the COO,” said Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant-Colonel Philani Nkwalase.
The accused is part of a group of people who were trained as boilermakers at Kusile Power Station through a company contracted to the national power supplier.
The group claims they were promised permanent jobs at Eskom. However, once they qualified only part-time work opportunities were given to them.
“Mnisi and his group were enraged when they were not hired and found out about other people who were allegedly employed whilst they were excluded. The bomb threat was reported to the police and was assigned to the Hawks’ Crime Against The State team for further handling,” said the Hawks spokesperson.
The accused was arrested on Friday, 18 November, after a joint investigation by the Hawks and Bidvest Protea Coin Security.
READ MORE:
- Eskom bomb threat suspect granted bail
- Suspect arrested over bomb threat directed at Eskom’s Oberholzer
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