Former Eskom contract worker jailed for 20 years for Camden power station sabotage
A former contract worker will serve an effective term of 20 years in prison for theft and tampering with infrastructure at Eskom's Camden Power Station in Mpumalanga.
Image: Supplied
Power utility Eskom has welcomed the sentence handed down by the Ermelo District Court against a former contract worker who was convicted of tampering with essential infrastructure and theft that caused damages of more than R22 million and disrupted operations at Camden Power Station, located near Ermelo in Mpumalanga.
According to a statement from Eskom, Simeon Majaonke Shongwe, a former Howden contractor employee was convicted of the charges in connection with an incident in November 2022.
Eskom said investigations revealed that he intentionally removed the bearing oil drain plug from a turbine that is used to generate electricity, causing repeated tripping of the oil burners.
This malicious act drained all oil from the bearing, severely damaging it and preventing the mills in the turbine from operating optimally. Camden Power Station Unit 4 subsequently tripped after losing all the mills.
On Monday, Shongwe was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for tampering with essential infrastructure and 15 years for theft, with the sentences running concurrently. He will serve 20 years behind bars.
Eskom said the conviction is a decisive milestone in its ongoing strategy against criminal acts targeting South Africa’s electricity system.
“This sentence is a decisive warning, tampering with Eskom’s infrastructure and theft will be met with uncompromising justice. Eskom is continually improving its governance structures and investigative capabilities to ensure that anyone who threatens South Africa’s electricity supply faces swift and severe consequences.
“Eskom, in on-going collaboration with the South African Police Service and national security structures, will continue to protect our power stations and safeguard the nation’s energy future,” said Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane.
Eskom added that it has consolidated its forensic, security and investigative functions into the newly formed Group Investigations and Security Division, which reports directly to the Group Chief Executive.
The power utility also commended the police for their work in bringing offenders to justice and the support of the NATJOINTS Energy Safety and Security Priority Committee.
For more stories from The Mercury, click the link THE MERCURY