The Middelburg Hawks and Eskom’s security team nabbed a truck driver after he allegedly stole a truckload of coal, sold it and then filled his vehicle with stones and discarded coal he attempted to deliver to Arnot Power Station.

Eskom said in a statement last week that its group security investigations tactical team spotted the truck entering a coal yard in Middelburg, Mpumalanga.

“The truck left the coal yard after about an hour. Security followed it as it drove to Arnot Power Station. On arrival, the investigations team inspected the load and found that the cargo was actually discarded coal mixed with stones. This confirmed the suspected coal swapping observed earlier at the Middelburg coal yard,” Eskom said.

Security officers questioned the truck driver who allegedly admitted to selling the coal he collected from a mine in eMakhazeni (formerly Belfast), which he was meant to deliver to the power station, for R6 000.

South African Police Service members of the Middelburg Hawks unit arrested the driver. A criminal investigation, supported by Eskom’s security unit, is ongoing.

“We commend the group security investigations unit and the Middelburg Hawks team for working tirelessly together in bringing coal thieves to book. There is tangible evidence to ensure successful prosecution of the suspect,” says Eskom Security Acting General Manager Botse Sikhwitshi.

“The delivery of poor-quality coal often leads to unit breakdowns and cannot be tolerated. We hope the perpetrator, once convicted, faces the harshest possible sentence, which shall serve as a deterrent to others.”

Eskom said it would continue to work with the police to ensure that illegal coal yards are shut down.

Members of the public are urged to report information regarding illegal electricity sales, fraud, the theft of coal, fuel oil and diesel and all other electricity-related crimes to the Eskom crime line: 0800 11 27 22. Reporting can be done anonymously.