Two Eskom employees, together with two foreign nationals employed by a scrap metal dealership, were arrested for alleged theft, last Wednesday.
The four were arrested at the dealership, following a tip off and intensive internal investigations.
“Our employees were tracked to a scrap metal dealership in Springs waiting in an Eskom truck loaded with aluminium conductor cables estimated at R468 000, and intended to be delivered to the scrapyard on Wednesday evening.
“The South African Police Service (SAPS) was called, and on arrival a search was conducted and additional Eskom conductors were found inside the dealership.
“The police subsequently made arrests”, said Motlhabane Ramashi, the senior manager for Maintenance and Operations in Gauteng.
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The four suspects remain in custody and will answer for their actions in a court of law.
In addition to appearing court, Eskom will also subject its employees to its internal disciplinary processes.
“We are disappointed and concerned that more of our own are implicated in alleged theft of our own material, but we will root out the rot even if it comes from within.
“This should send a strong signal to anyone involved in these illegal activities.
“Just a week ago, another employee was arrested in connection with a similar theft incident.
“The investigation was informed by our commitment to resource optimisation where we aim to ensure that our material is channelled to its intended purposes,” said Ramashi.
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Ramashi added that as a company, they would continue to heighten efforts to curb material losses and any criminal act by anyone, including their employees.
“Any material theft undermines Eskom’s ability to deliver on its service delivery mandate.
“Eskom continues to heighten security in hot spot areas across Gauteng as cable and conductor theft may lead to prolonged power outages and compromises the quality of supply, which affects businesses, essential services, as well as the day-to-day lives of our society,” said Ramashi.
Ramashi commended the community for the tip offs that led to the arrests, and also urged all those who may be aware of any form of criminal acts by Eskom employees or anyone else, to take pictures of the crime scene, and the involved vehicle registration numbers, when it is safe to do so, and send an anonymous tip-off to Crime Line on 32211 or contact the Eskom Contact Centre on 0860 037 566.
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