Month: July 2024

Three Eskom contractor employees have been released on bail after they were found in possession of stolen diesel at the power utility’s Kusile Power Station in Mpumalanga.

The excavator operator and two mechanics were arrested on Tuesday for the theft of diesel to the value of R1000.

In a statement on Friday, Eskom said a supervisor at the power utility, who was conducting routine visits and inspections, received a phone call from the excavator operator requesting permission to leave work early due to personal problems.

The supervisor decided to pass by the Ash Dam and meet with the operator, when he noticed an unknown white motor vehicle parked next to the operator with two unknown male persons in the vicinity.

While being questioned, the two men informed the supervisor that they were mechanics and were there to fix the breakdown on the machine.

Upon further questioning, it was established that the operator and the two mechanics had drained diesel from the excavator. The suspects tried to offer the supe
rvisor a bribe of R5 000.00 if he did not report the crime, which he refused.

It was discovered that approximately 40 litres of diesel were drained into two 20 litre containers.

‘The South African Police Service (SAPS) and Eskom Security were summoned. The three suspects were arrested for theft of diesel and detained at the Phola Police Station. They were charged and appeared in the Phola Court on 25 July 2024. All three accused were released on bail of R500.00 each.’

The case has been remanded to 4 September 2024.

‘Eskom strongly condemns any criminal activity within its operations and will not tolerate such behaviour,’ said Botse Sikhwitshi, Eskom’s Acting General Manager for Security.

Sikhwitshi commended the supervisor and security team for their vigilance.

‘Our internal security investigations team will continue collaborating with law enforcement agencies, coordinated and led by the National Energy Crisis Committee’s (NECOM’s) Safety and Security Priority Committee, which plays a crucial role in su
pporting Eskom’s efforts to combat criminal activities. In the first quarter of FY24/25 (April 1 to June 30, 2024), we have made positive strides with an increase in arrests and convictions,’ explained Sikhwitshi.

The power utility has encouraged the public to report any information related to unlawful activities, including illegal electricity sales, fraud, theft of coal, fuel oil, diesel, and critical and essential infrastructure crimes. Reports can be made anonymously through the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 11 27 22 or the WhatsApp number at 081 333 3323.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Public Works and Infrastructure Minister Dean Macpherson has requested the Development Bank Of Southern Africa (DBSA) to supply his office with bi-weekly reports on the progress made in the reconstruction of Parliament’s National Assembly reconstruction site.

This also include monthly cost schedule which will be made available to the Portfolio Committee on Public Works and Infrastructure in the interest of transparency.

This according to the department, has been requested to ensure that the contractors to the project are held to agreed upon time periods and budget.

‘As someone who called the National Assembly his office for more than 10 years, it is simply heartbreaking to see what has happened to this keystone of our democracy,’ said the Minister, adding that he wants to be actively involved in the reconstruction of the National Assembly building to ensure that the project is completed on time and on budget.

During his site visit on Thursday, Macpherson said the reconstruction of the National Assembly bu
ilding should be moving much faster to avoid any further delay.

‘We simply cannot wait any longer,’ he said.

The Minister also met with the National Assembly Speaker Thoko Didiza to discuss progress on the National Assembly’s reconstruction and efforts to expedite the construction.

He emphasised that the increased oversight would help avoid abuse of scarce public resources and encouraged members of the public to report any corruption allegations should they arise with evidence to his office to escalate and investigate.

‘We have to work together to rebuild the National Assembly building in such a manner that it is protected from future disasters such as fires and theft, while at the same time making it more accessible to the public to learn about this important institution.

‘The reconstruction of the National Assembly needs to honour our past while it looks to the future to stand as a testament to the strength of democracy,’ Macpherson said.

A fire destroyed the historic Parliamentary buildings in Januar
y 2022.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Three suspects who were wanted for at least ten cases of murder were shot and killed in a shootout with police in Empangeni in the early hours of Friday morning.

The KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Stabilization Team, which also forms part of Operation Vala uMgodi, received intelligence about the suspects, who were hiding at a house in KwaDlangezwa, said the South African Police Service (SAPS) in a statement.

When the police announced their presence, the suspects opened fire, sparking a shootout which ended with the three suspects being fatally wounded.

The suspects, who were also alleged to have been involved in an ATM bombing incident in Esikhaleni which left one suspect fatally wounded on Thursday, were found in possession of at least two firearms. The crime scene was yet to be properly searched for more exhibits.

KwaZulu-Natal Provincial Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi, has reiterated that criminals who shoot at the police should expect the same kind of response.

“Police officers have a
mandate to arrest and bring perpetrators to justice, however if police find themselves under gunfire, the only option they have in order to come out alive is through the return of fire,” he said.

Source: South African Government News Agency

An ATM bombing suspect was arrested, while another was left fatally wounded in a shootout with police in Esikhaleni, in the early hours of Thursday morning.

Police responded to reports of an ATM bombing at a store in Esikhaleni and swift investigations led to the arrest of the driver of the suspects’ getaway vehicle.

Another vehicle that the suspects were using was spotted at Madlankala area and with the suspects failing to obey lawful instructions from the police and shooting at the men of law, a shootout ensued. This resulted in one suspect sustaining fatal gunshot wounds. A firearm was found in his possession.

A search is underway at a nearby sugarcane farm where other suspects ran into, as they tried to evade arrest.

Source: South African Government News Agency

Minister in Presidency responsible for Women, Youth and Persons with Disabilities, Sindisiwe Chikunga, in partnership with the Sector Education and Training Authorities (SETA’s), will donate R6 million worth of infrastructure to benefit a school in KwaZulu-Natal.

More than 400 learners of Mason Lincoln Special School will benefit from the Inter-SETA collaboration project, which aims to improve the operations of the special school.

The school is located in Umlazi.

Friday’s donation includes infrastructure support through the provision of mobile classrooms, teacher, and learner tools of the trade through the provision of desktops, assistive devices, digital boards, and wheelchairs.

‘Further support will include skills development opportunities for persons and learners with disabilities,’ the department said.

Chikunga will be joined by the Health and Welfare SETA, FoodBev Manufacturing SETA, Insurance SETA, Services SETA, and Mining Qualifications Authority.

Source: South African Government News Agency

The Ekurhuleni Municipality says the city’s technicians are addressing a major sewer blockage that has closed an intersection on Ermelo Road, affecting Strubenvale and Casseldale roads in the Springs city centre.

Giving an update on the ongoing efforts to resolve the issue, City spokesperson, Zweli Dlamini, said the municipal team initially responded to a sewer spillage and subsequently identified a major blockage along with several bottlenecks on the sewer network.

‘The team is working tirelessly to remove the debris causing the sewage blockage because if not attended to urgently, this can lead to further contamination and health hazards,’ Dlamini said.

Dlamini said the work being carried out includes assessing the ground level to ensure that the sewer system will direct wastewater appropriately; replacement and installation of new water pipes; and replacement of damaged and aged manholes to improve access for maintenance to reduce future risk failures.

‘The completion time for these repairs is currently
unknown, but the municipality is committed to minimising the inconvenience to the public. Motorists are advised to seek alternative routes while the repairs are underway to avoid delays and ensure safety in the area,’ Dlamini said.

Source: South African Government News Agency