Eskom alters tactics in the battle against crime and sabotage at power plants

Eskom says it is doing a complete screening and security sweep of all ongoing contracts in order to crack down on high-level crimes that have plagued its operations over the years.

In 2022, Eskom made numerous significant arrests connected to coal and diesel theft, as well as one incidence of active sabotage.

A truck driver and his supervisor from a transport business subcontracted to deliver coal to the group’s Matla Power Station were detained in November for allegedly stealing excellent quality coal and substituting it with inferior stock.

Two security guards employed by a business contracted by Eskom to defend Port Rex Power Station in East London were detained in November for stealing 5,863 gallons of fuel, while truck drivers hauling coal to Camden and Kendal power plants were also caught in separate incidents.

One of the most notable arrests was of a contractor working at the Camden Power Station who was apprehended after being positively tied to a sabotage event.

The saboteur, a contract worker, admitted to purposely damaging equipment in order to induce a breakdown at the power plant so that his firm might receive additional maintenance contracts from the power utility.

These high-level crimes are taking place as the country suffers from the worst load shedding on record.

Over the years, criminal elements have caused Eskom billions of rands in damage and losses as syndicates penetrated firms hired to work at its power facilities and utilised contracts with the company to steal millions of rands.

The degree of criminal activity at Eskom became so high that the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) was called in to secure the infrastructure and help security agencies in maintaining generation capacity safe in December 2022.

To avoid jeopardising security safeguards, the details of the systems in place have been designated as sensitive, with limited exposure.

Eskom did highlight, however, that its security is in the process of vetting all active contracts, including workers of contractors engaged at Eskom sites and firms against whose investigations (criminal, civil, or disciplinary) have been filed, conducted/completed, or are still underway.

“The law enforcement agencies, particularly the State Security Agency, is also engaged in assisting Eskom in conducting the screening of contractors and suppliers to Eskom,” it said.

Furthermore, Eskom has directed that contractors undergo SAPS security clearance checks before being granted access to Eskom premises.

“Eskom Security is compiling a database of companies and persons to enable the listing/red-flagging of individuals and entities as part of due-diligence investigations,” it said.

Eskom stated that it uses a risk-based approach to contract assessments, with all flagged contracts submitted to a preliminary inquiry to enable management to make informed judgements.

“The flagging instruments are in the form of contract management in which contract performance is monitored; the Fraud Hotline where stakeholders can report suspicious contracts; internal and external audit findings; as well as complaints the Procurement & Supply Chain Management system,” the group said.

Eskom also stated that it is implementing restrictions on new contracts as well as those that are being modified or reviewed.

“In addition, where there is irregular expenditure on contracts, they are reviewed for elements of fraud and corruption,” the group said.