LOOK: Another Eskom truck driver arrested for coal theft, fraud

A truck driver was arrested for allegedly diverting an Eskom coal shipment destined for Camden Power Station to an illegal coal yard in Middelburg. The original shipment was swapped with rubble.

READ: ‘Highly organised criminal activity’: Eskom truck drivers arrested for coal theft

ESKOM TRUCK DRIVER BUSTED FOR COAL THEFT

The Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) said the 28-year-old suspect was arrested in the early hours of Tuesday, 22 November.

The suspect was driving a truck sub-contracted to collect coal from Msimbithi Coal Mine in Wonderfontein near Belfast for delivery to Camden Power Station in Ermelo.

“It is alleged that the truck driver deviated from that route with the original coal worth approximately R30 000 and delivered it to an illegal coal yard on Bethal road in Vaalbank near Middleburg,” said Lieutenant-Colonel Philani Nkwalase.

At the illegal coal yard, the shipment was replaced with rubble coal mixed with stones and the suspect set off for the Power Station.

Private security company Bidvest Protea Coin stopped the truck as it arrived at Camden Power Station and the matter was reported to the police before being referred to the Hawks for further investigation.

“The preliminary investigation by the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State (CATS) team revealed that the criminal actions were not only meant to defraud Eskom, but to also cause irreversible damage to the machinery and derail the electricity production process,” said the Hawks spokesperson.

The 28-year-old is expected to appear before the Belfast Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 24 November.

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