A former Eskom driver based at Kusile Power Station in Mpumalanga has been handed a suspended sentence for diesel theft, according to the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation, better known as the Hawks.
Zisebenzele Anton Gumede, 57, was sentenced in the Ogies District Court on Tuesday following his arrest in July 2022.
Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Dineo Sekgotodi explained that Gumede had been on duty at the power station on the day of the incident and was assigned to drive a water bowser.
“It was reported that Gumede left the power station without his supervisor’s permission,” Sekgotodi said. “At around 6.30 am, security personnel noticed his return and stopped him for inspection. They found that the fuel tank of the water bowser was empty.”
Further checks revealed discrepancies in the trip details. Gumede had driven less than 10 kilometres, yet the truck’s fuel tank, which had been full, was now completely drained.
“When questioned, Gumede could not provide an explanation for the missing fuel,” Sekgotodi added.
Read | 10 men arrested for armed robbery and diesel theft on N5, Harrismith
Phola police officers were called to the scene, and a case of theft was registered. While the case was initially withdrawn, it was handed over to the Middelburg-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation team for further inquiry. After a thorough investigation, the matter was re-enrolled for prosecution.
Gumede was ultimately sentenced to 24 months imprisonment, wholly suspended for five years. The suspension is conditional on him not being convicted of a similar offence during this period.
Do you have more on this story? Click to WhatsApp us. Anonymity guaranteed.
