Eskom has announced the sentencing of two individuals involved in separate criminal activities targeting critical infrastructure at Duvha Power Station in Mpumalanga. The sentences, handed down in October 2024, demonstrate the severe consequences of actions that threaten the nation’s energy supply.
Tseliso Ramosebetsi was sentenced to 15 years in prison by the Middelburg Magistrate’s Court on 8 October 2024. Ramosebetsi was caught cutting and removing copper cables from the coal conveyor belt, a vital component of Duvha Power Station’s operations. His accomplice, Mpho Johannes Machekela, absconded from trial, and a warrant for his arrest has been issued.
In a separate case, Frederick Jacobs Van Wyk was sentenced to 5 years in prison by the Witbank Magistrate’s Court on 23 October 2024 for the theft of aluminium cables near the Horticulture site outside Duvha Power Station.
These significant sentences highlight the gravity of crimes against critical infrastructure and serve as a deterrent to others. Eskom commends the South African Police Service (SAPS) for their dedication to securing these convictions and thanks its security teams for their vigilance and collaboration in protecting the nation’s assets.
Tampering with or damaging critical infrastructure is a criminal offence under the Criminal Matters Amendment Act, with penalties of up to 30 years’ imprisonment. Such activities disrupt essential services, pose serious safety risks, and undermine the sustainability of the electricity network, impacting communities and the economy.
