A truck driver has been arrested on allegations of stealing coal at the Arnot Power Station in Mpumalanga.

This after a coal loaded truck was spotted by the Eskom Group Security Investigation’s tactical team entering a coal yard in Middelburg.

The coal was due to be delivered to the power station.

“The truck left the coal yard after about an hour and the members followed it as it then drove to Arnot Power Station. On arrival at Arnot Power Station, the truck joined the queue to offload coal.

“The Eskom Group Security Investigations team checked and discovered that the coal due to be offloaded was indeed discarded coal containing stones, which confirmed the suspected coal swapping witnessed earlier at the Middleburg coal yard,” Eskom said in a statement.

According to the power utility, the truck driver was questioned and admitted to selling the coal for some R6 000.

Eskom Acting General Manager for Security, Botse Sikhwitshi, praised the team for its work.

“We commend the Group Security Investigations and the Middelburg Hawks team for working tirelessly together in bringing coal thieves to book. There is tangible evidence to ensure successful prosecution of the suspect.

“The delivery of poor quality coal often leads to unit breakdowns and cannot be tolerated. We hope the perpetrator, once convicted, faces the harshest possible sentence, which shall serve as a deterrent to others,” he said.

Last week, Eskom said that a man accused of tampering with critical Eskom infrastructure was convicted and sentenced to 10 years in prison. He is one of two who were arrested in February 2022 on suspicion of stealing copper bars and installed copper at a Matla substation.