Guards were apprehended after stealing thousands of litres of diesel from  Eskom power station

Two security guards hired by Eskom to protect the Port Rex power station in East London were arrested on Monday for allegedly stealing nearly 6 000 litres of diesel.

The guards were arrested while on duty, according to Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha. The stolen diesel is worth slightly less than R146 000.

“Through internal investigations, it was established that the … security guards permitted a vehicle to collect the stolen diesel from the site during the night shifts, and for which they were paid in return,” Mantshantsha said.

The Bidvest Protea Coin Investigation Team and the SA Police Service assisted with the internal investigations, and the two security guards were arrested a few days after Eskom laid criminal charges for diesel theft. On Wednesday, the two suspects will appear in the East London Magistrate’s Court.

Karen Pillay, general manager for security at Eskom, said it was “appalling that the individuals entrusted with the responsibilities of safeguarding our infrastructure resort to such acts of malfeasance”. She described the arrests as “another significant step in our fight against crime in Eskom”.

According to Eskom, investigations to identify other suspects are ongoing, and the outcome will determine what actions will be taken against the contracted security company.

Earlier this month, a truck driver was arrested at Eskom’s Camden station for allegedly tampering with coal, and on November 15, a contractor working at the Camden power station in Mpumalanga was arrested after being positively linked to a sabotage incident.

Following the most recent arrests, Eskom stated that it would provide the authorities with the necessary assistance to ensure that the suspects are successfully prosecuted and the “maximum permissible sanction is meted out”