By Lehlohonolo Lehana.

A 42-year-old truck driver was arrested for selling heavy fuel oil worth R500 000 meant for Eskom to a private facility for a mere R40 000. 

Police said the arrest emanates from investigations being conducted by the NATJOINTS Energy Safety and Security Priority Committee which was established pursuant to the NECOM mandate to address security, crime and corruption related matters hampering the mandate of Eskom.

National police spokesperson Brigadier Athlenda Mathe said the accused Phumlani Johan Hadebe, 42, was arrested on Monday.

Hadebe appeared in the Bethal Magistrate's Court on a charge of theft and fraud the following day.

Mathe said Hadebe is accused of diverting and selling heavy fuel oil worth R500,000 for R40,000.

"At the time of the crime, he was working for a company contracted by Eskom to deliver the oil at Camden Power Station in Mpumalanga. He never delivered the oil to Eskom, and instead delivered it to a private facility and pocketed the money for his benefit," said Mathe.

Through intelligence, he was traced to Gauteng and arrested by police."

Heavy fuel oil is used in power stations for electricity production and supply.

Mathe said between April and October this year, 1618 cases were reported to SAPS.

These include theft and damage of critical infrastructure, theft of fuel, overhead cables, among others.

Operations led by the NatJOINTS, including the SAPS, Department of Forestry, Fisheries and Environment, Department of Home Affairs and the Department of Minerals Resources and Energy have also led to the closure of 63 unregulated coal yards.