South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Monday, 9 January 2023 Image via: Eskom / Twitter
Eskom: Two employees stole R100m worth of fuel oil PER MONTH
Eskom says four other suspects involved in the elaborate scheme have been identified and will be arrested next week
South Africa: Today’s latest news and headlines, Monday, 9 January 2023 Image via: Eskom / Twitter
Two Eskom employees were arrested on Thursday and face charges of fraud, theft and corruption in connection with hundreds of millions of rands worth of goods and services that have been paid by the power utility, but were not delivered nor rendered at Tutuka Power Station.
The arrests are a result of months of investigating by both Eskom and the relevant law enforcement agencies in Mpumalanga.
That’s not all: Eskom says its investigations have also established the existence of a syndicate that is responsible for the theft of approximately R100 million worth of fuel oil per month from the same power station.
“The suspects, Jessie Phindile Kubeka, who is 51% shareholder in a supplier company; Eskom employees Sarah Nomsa Sibiya (Senior Technician Operating) and Bhekizizwe Solomon Twala (Senior Storeperson), are all facing the same charges. They were released on bail of R5 000 each. The trial has been set to down for 21 February 2022,” said spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha.
Eskom multimillion rand theft: More arrests expected
Eskom says four other suspects involved in the elaborate scheme have been identified and will be arrested next week. Arrest warrants are being prepared concerning other suspects in the fuel oil syndicate.
“Eskom, and Tutuka power station in particular, continues to be the scene of the most despicable of crimes perpetrated by some of the very people tasked with the stewardship of this public institution and by unscrupulous suppliers,” said Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter.
The utility adds that while it its management team and Board are currently seized with the restoration of operations, they have also been dismantling well established crime syndicates that are profiting from the problems that are costing the whole country.
“Whilst these investigations take a long time to come to fruition, the wins whereby arrests are made and criminals are brought to answer for their unlawful conduct, goes a long way towards making a positive contribution to the rebuilding of the organisation.”
Eskom CEO Andre de Ruyter
