Nine people were arrested at Kusile power station on Thursday for alleged fraud and theft of coal, Eskom said in a statement on Friday.

Among those arrested were eight weighbridge operators, not employed by Eskom, and a coal truck driver, who are expected to appear in court at a later date. The suspects have been detained at the Phola police station.

The nine were arrested after a tip-off that coal haulers would be bypassing Kusile – but without offloading the coal that had been ordered. This sparked an investigation by the SA Police Service, as well as an internal Eskom investigation that was supported by the Bidvest Protea Coin Investigation team, Eskom said.

“Investigations revealed that the weighbridge operators would process weighbridge transactions without the coal hauler having entered the power station to offload the coal. Kusile Power Station would, however, be invoiced for the coal ordered but not received,” Eskom said in a statement.

The power utility said it anticipated further arrests.

“The theft of coal is a highly organised criminal activity, and the syndicates involved are being enriched through the proceeds derived from the illicit trade of the stolen products.

“Eskom continues to lose money due to the misappropriation and adulteration of these critical commodities,” it added.

Botse Sikhwitshi, acting general manager for security at Eskom, said the arrests were a “significant step in our fight against crime in Eskom”.

The embattled power utility has been fighting an uphill battle against coal theft. Last year, the Sunday Times reported that criminal syndicates were hijacking thousands of tons of Eskom coal and selling it at a premium to international buyers. Former chief executive André de Ruyter was particularly vocal about the scourge of coal theft. 

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred

In times of uncertainty you need journalism you can trust. For 14 free days, you can have access to a world of in-depth analyses, investigative journalism, top opinions and a range of features. Journalism strengthens democracy. Invest in the future today. Thereafter you will be billed R75 per month. You can cancel anytime and if you cancel within 14 days you won’t be billed.