Cape Town – A Mpumalanga man has been charged with fraud and theft after he allegedly delivered R30 000 worth of coal at an illegal coal yard.
The 28-year-old man was arrested by members of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks) on Tuesday, police said in a statement.
The man was alleged to have stolen the coal from Eskom.
This happened shortly after the power utility implemented stage 4 load shedding until further notice.
Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Philani Nkwalase said that the suspect was driving a truck sub-contracted to collect coal from the Msimbithi Coal Mine in Wonderfontein near Belfast and deliver it to Camden power station operated by Eskom in Ermelo.
#sapsHAWKS A suspect (28) was arrested on 22/11 on charges of fraud and theft of Eskom’s coal worth an estimated R30 000. He allegedly delivered coal to an illegal coal yard on Bethal Road in Vaalbank near Middleburg. NP https://t.co/y2Jzmp64ad pic.twitter.com/FarGIMKiLq
— SA Police Service ?? (@SAPoliceService) November 23, 2022
“It is alleged that the truck driver deviated from that route with the original coal worth approximately R30 000 and delivered it to an illegal coal yard on Bethal road in Vaalbank near Middelburg. A rubble coal mixed with stones was allegedly loaded on the truck for delivery to Camden power station,” Nkwalase said.
He said the suspect was intercepted by members of the Bidvest Protea Coin Security upon arrival at the power station.
The matter was reported to the police and was referred to the Hawks for further investigation.
“The man was arrested and the truck as well as the rubble coal mixed with stones were seized for further investigation.
“The preliminary investigation by the Hawks’ Crimes Against the State (CATS) team revealed that the criminal actions were not only meant to defraud Eskom, but to also cause irreversible damage to the machinery and derail the electricity production process,” Nkwalase added.
The suspect is expected to appear at Belfast Magistrates Court on Thursday.
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Picture: Twitter/ @SAPoliceService
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Compiled by Olwethu Mpeshe
