Ex-Eskom employee receives suspended sentence for diesel theft

Ex-Eskom employee receives suspended sentence for diesel theft! A former Eskom employee at the Kusile Power Station in Mpumalanga, Zisebenzele Anton Gumede (57), has been handed a suspended sentence for the theft of diesel.

The sentencing, delivered by the Ogies District Court on Tuesday, comes after a detailed investigation led by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks).

Arrest at Kusile Power Station

Hawks spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Dineo Sekgotodi, provided details of the incident that led to Gumede’s arrest. In July 2022, while on duty at Kusile Power Station, Gumede was operating a water bowser truck when he was caught under suspicious circumstances.

Eskom employee

Sekgotodi explained, “On the day of the incident, Gumede drove the water bowser out of the power station without receiving clearance or permission from his supervisor. His unauthorized departure immediately raised concerns among the station’s security personnel.”

Security Discovery

At approximately 6:30 a.m., when Gumede returned to the station, security staff stopped the vehicle for inspection. The guards noted that the truck’s fuel tank, which had been full earlier, was now completely empty.

Upon further checks, the security team identified discrepancies in the vehicle’s usage:

• The truck had traveled less than 10 kilometers, yet the fuel tank was drained.
• Records showed the vehicle had a full tank of fuel when it departed.

When questioned, Gumede was unable to provide a plausible explanation for the missing fuel.

Police Involvement

The incident was reported to the Phola Police Station, and officers promptly arrived at the scene. A case of theft was registered against Gumede, leading to his arrest.

The investigation was initially handled by a task team from Eskom’s headquarters. However, the case was provisionally withdrawn during the early stages. It was later transferred to the Middelburg-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation team for further examination.

Investigation and Prosecution

The Hawks finalized the investigation and secured an authorized J175 warrant against Gumede. The case was then reinstated on the court roll, paving the way for prosecution.

Lt. Col. Sekgotodi stated, “The investigation uncovered sufficient evidence, enabling the prosecution to proceed with the case. The matter was placed back on the court roll, leading to Gumede’s sentencing.”

Court Verdict

The Ogies District Court sentenced Gumede to 24 months of imprisonment, but the sentence was wholly suspended for five years. This means he will not serve jail time unless he commits a similar offense during the suspension period.

The court’s decision reflects the seriousness of the crime, while also considering the circumstances surrounding the case. The suspended sentence serves as a warning to Gumede and others, emphasizing the importance of ethical conduct within Eskom, especially during a time when the utility is under intense scrutiny for corruption and inefficiencies.

Implications for Eskom

The case highlights ongoing challenges within Eskom, South Africa’s embattled power utility, which has been plagued by theft, corruption, and mismanagement. Fuel theft, in particular, has posed a significant threat to the utility’s operations, costing millions of rands and impacting its ability to deliver reliable power to the nation.

The Kusile Power Station, one of Eskom’s flagship projects, has frequently been in the spotlight due to construction delays, technical issues, and allegations of corruption. Incidents like Gumede’s further underscore the need for tighter security and oversight within Eskom’s operations.

Conclusion

The sentencing of Zisebenzele Anton Gumede marks a small but important victory in the fight against internal crimes at Eskom. While the suspended sentence may appear lenient, it serves as a reminder that misconduct will not go unpunished.

As Eskom continues to grapple with its challenges, this case reinforces the importance of vigilance, accountability, and transparency within the organization. The Hawks, along with Eskom’s internal security teams, remain committed to curbing theft and corruption, ensuring that resources meant for the nation are not misused or stolen.