Two Eskom employees and a supplier were arrested and charged with theft, fraud and corruption, relating to the disappearance of spares at Tutuka power station, valued at hundreds of millions of rands. The goods and services have been paid by Eskom, but was not delivered or rendered at the power station.
The two employees were arrested on Thursday, November 4, and appeared in the Standerton Court, while the supplier was arrested on Friday, November 5.
According to the power utility, “The arrests followed months of internal investigative work by Eskom, in cooperation with the law enforcement agencies in Mpumalanga.”
Eskom’s investigations have also established the existence of a syndicate responsible for the theft of approximately R100 million worth of fuel oil per month from the power station, as per the statement released.
Jessie Phindile Kubeka, who is a 51% shareholder in the supplier company, along with employees Sarah Nomsa Sibiya (Senior Technician Operator) and Bhekizizwe Solomon Twala (Senior Storeperson) are all facing the same charges.
They have been released on R5 000 bail each, and the trial has been set for February 21, 2022.
“It is anticipated that four suspects involved in the same scheme are expected to be arrested during the course of next week. Further, warrants of arrest are being prepared concerning other suspects in the fuel oil syndicate,” Eskom adds.
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