[FILE]Stage 5 load shedding will be permanently implemented from 5:00 on Wednesday. Image: Twitter/Eskom.
Another Eskom truck driver and his supervisor arrested for coal theft
The truck driver off-loaded the ‘good-quality’ coal at an illegal coal yard in Mpumalanga and said he was acting on his supervisor’s instructions.
[FILE]Stage 5 load shedding will be permanently implemented from 5:00 on Wednesday. Image: Twitter/Eskom.
A truck driver and his supervisor were arrested at Matla Power Station in Mpumalanga on Monday, 28 November, for allegedly stealing coal from Eskom. The suspects reportedly swapped clean coal for sub-grade material at a local illegal coal yard.
TRUCK DRIVER AND SUPERVISOR ARRESTED FOR STEALING COAL FROM ESKOM
Eskom contracts a specialist team of investigators from Bidvest Protea Coin to investigate coal, diesel and fuel theft cases.
The investigators detected the truck as it entered the Rondebult coal yard and brought it to a halt when it reached Matla Power Station.
“During questioning, the truck driver admitted to offloading the ‘good-quality’ coal he had received from the Arthur Taylor Colliery, located in Mpumalanga.
“He further alleged that he acted on his supervisor’s instructions when he proceeded to the Rondebult coal yard to exchange the coal,” said Eskom.
The truck driver and his supervisor are employed by Ukusebenza Transport, a company that Eskom subcontracts. The duo were arrested, and the truck and trailer were seized as part of the investigation.
The suspects are expected to appear in court for a bail application on 13 December.
A truck driver was arrested for a similar offence on 22 November. He allegedly swapped a load of coal destined for Camden Power Station.
READ MORE: LOOK: Another Eskom truck driver arrested for coal theft, fraud
A contractor working at Camden Power Station was also detained for alleged sabotage at the power station. The police arrested another truck driver for coal theft from Kendal Power Station.
On Monday, two security guards were arrested for stealing diesel from the Port Rex Power Station in East London. The diesel was valued at approximately R145 930,07.
READ MORE: Eskom crisis: Two security guards arrested for stealing 5863 litres of diesel
“Yet again, these arrests are a significant step in rooting out criminals in Eskom. It also confirms the extent of criminality and prevalence of organised crimes affecting the organisation.
“Eskom has discovered through investigations that the control processes are deliberately bypassed by the criminal employees of the mines, transporters and Eskom alike. We shall pursue these unscrupulous individuals relentlessly and ensure that justice is served,” said the General Manager for Security at the national power supplier, Advocate Karen Pillay.
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