A 42-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with theft after he allegedly stole heavy fuel oil meant for use at an Eskom power station. Heavy fuel oil is used at power stations for electricity production and supply. Phumlani Johan Hadebe was arrested on Monday and has already appeared before the Bethal Magistrates Court on a charge of theft and fraud on Tuesday.

According to national police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe, the suspect is accused of diverting and selling heavy fuel oil worth R500 000 for a mere R40 000. The suspect was working for a company contracted by Eskom to deliver the oil at a power station in Mpumalanga. "At the time of the crime, the driver was working for a company contracted by Eskom to deliver the oil at Camden Power Station in Mpumalanga. He never delivered the oil to Eskom, instead, he delivered it to a private facility and pocketed the money for his benefit," Mathe said. Hadebe was traced and arrested in Gauteng after an investigation conducted by the NatJoints energy safety and security priority committee which was established to address security, crime and corruption-related matters hampering the mandate of Eskom.

Mathe said that 1618 cases were reported to the police between April and October this year. She added that these include theft and damage of critical infrastructure, theft of fuel and overhead cables. "1043 of these cases are still under investigation. 207 suspects have been arrested for various charges related to such criminality. Operations led by the NatJoints including the SAPS, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Minerals Resources and Energy have so far led to the closure of 63 unregulated coal yards," Mathe added.