The Ermelo District Court sentenced Simeon Majaonke Shongwe to 20 years’ imprisonment for tampering with essential infrastructure and 15 years for theft, with the sentences to run concurrently, says State-owned Eskom.

Shongwe, who was a former contractor employee of a ventilation engineering company, was convicted of tampering with essential infrastructure and theft that caused damages of more than R22-million and disrupted operations at the Camden power station – a designated national key point – in November 2022.

He was arrested that same month after being positively linked to an incident at the power station. Investigations revealed that he intentionally removed the bearing oil drain plug from a turbine that is used to generate electricity, thereby causing repeated tripping of the oil burners.

This drained all the oil from the bearing, severely damaging it and preventing the mills in the turbine from operating optimally. Unit 4 at the power station subsequently tripped after losing all the mills.

Evidence and a confession confirmed that the plug was removed to cause the trip, Eskom says.

The conviction is part of Eskom’s ongoing strategy against criminal acts targeting South Africa’s electricity system. Tampering with essential infrastructure and theft are direct attacks on the stability of electricity supply to millions of citizens.

“The sentence is a warning that tampering with Eskom’s infrastructure and theft will be met with justice. Eskom is continually improving its governance structures and investigating capabilities to ensure anyone who threatens South Africa’s electricity supply faces swift and severe consequences,” says Eskom Group CE Dan Marokane.

“Eskom, in ongoing collaboration with the South African Police Service and national security structures, will protect our power stations and safeguard the nation’s energy future.”

To strengthen governance and enhance investigative capabilities, Eskom has consolidated its forensic, security and investigative functions into the newly formed Group Investigations and Security Division, which reports directly to Marokane.

Through collaboration with the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure Energy Safety and Security Priority Committee, Eskom works to facilitate swift action against fraud and corruption, protecting its assets and maintaining public trust, Marokane says.