NATIONAL NEWS - Another coal delivery truck driver was on Tuesday arrested at the Camden Power Station in Mpumalanga after he was found in possession of sub-grade coal destined for Eskom.
In a statement, Eskom said the truck belongs to a transporter that is contracted to deliver coal to Eskom.
Two other truck drivers were arrested at the same power station while in possession of stolen coal two weeks ago.
Eskom said while the truck left the mine with the correct specification of coal, the swapping with the inferior quality coal occurred at a known illegal coal yard in the area, prior to the delivery being made at the Camden Power Station.
Driver allowed to exit coal mine with unsealed truck
“During questioning, the truck driver admitted that he was allowed to exit the Wonderfontein Coal Mine by security, without the tarpaulins on the truck being sealed with the prescribed seals, and that the seals remained in his possession on exit.”
The driver was arrested and a criminal case with various charges was opened with the Ermelo SAPS. The truck and trailer were also impounded.
Eskom said more arrests are expected.
According to Eskom, the Bidvest Protea Coin Tactical Task Team, who are contracted to Eskom to investigate coal, diesel and fuel oil theft cases, detected the truck as it left the illegal coal yard in Middelburg.
The team followed the truck to the Camden Power Station where it was stopped at the gate.
“The driver further alleged that an employee of the mine instructed him to proceed to the illegal coal yard in Middelburg and to offload the coal before proceeding to Camden Power Station.
“He was further directed by the said mine employee to deliver the replaced coal product to Eskom– which is sub-standard obtained coal from the illegal coal yard.
“The trailer was sealed at the illegal coal stockyard using the issued seals after the sub-grade coal was loaded and the driver proceeded to the power station to deliver the coal,” said Eskom.
Advocate Karen Pillay, general manager for Security at Eskom, said the arrest of “these unscrupulous individuals” is a significant step in Eskom’s fight against crime.
“We shall continue in our pursuit to ensure that the perpetrators face the full might of the law,” she said.
Attempts to bribe investigator
In an interesting turn of events, Eskom said that the investigator from Bidvest Protea Coin was offered an R50 000 bribe for the release of the driver when he engaged on the matter. The bribe was duly declined.
Stockpiles of coal destined for Eskom from the contracted mines are pre-tested and certified by both parties.
It is required that the delivery coal trucks are inspected at the source and the trailers are sealed on site for security purposes. The seals are to remain intact until the truck reaches the Eskom power station where it is again inspected for tampering before the coal is off-loaded.
However, Eskom said it has discovered that the processes are deliberately bypassed by some criminal elements in the mines, transporters and Eskom alike.
The power utility said the replacement of quality coal with discarded coal has a serious negative impact on the plants and production at the power stations.
“Coal theft is highly organised criminal activity and syndicates involved are being enriched through the proceeds derived from the trade in stolen coal.
“Eskom continues to lose billions of rands due to the misappropriation of coal and similar commodities which directly affects production. There are several illicit coal stockyards and dump sites in the province that are recipients of the stolen coal.”
Eskom has urged the public to report information regarding the theft of coal, fuel oil and diesel to the Eskom Crime Line: 0800 11 27 22.
