By Lerato Mpembe
Selby Magagula, a sub-contractor employee of Eskom Rotek Industries, has been sentenced to at least four years imprisonment following his conviction on two counts of bribery and corruption. The sentencing took place in the Ermelo Magistrate’s Court in August 2024, marking a crucial step in Eskom’s ongoing efforts to combat internal corruption and uphold integrity within the organisation.
The Incident at Camden Power Station
Magagula’s conviction stems from an incident that occurred on 26 September 2023, at Camden Power Station’s coal stockyard. While on duty, Magagula accused a truck driver, who was delivering coal to the power station, of delivering coal mixed with rocks. He allegedly entered the truck’s cab and presented three pieces of rock, claiming they were part of the coal consignment. He then informed the driver that this issue would result in grounding all trucks waiting to offload coal, with three trucks already in the queue.
Magagula proceeded to demand that the driver contact his employer. The driver promptly informed his supervisor at the coal transporting company about the situation. During a subsequent conversation between the supervisor and Magagula, the latter solicited a bribe of R6,000 to allow the coal to be offloaded. Despite the supervisor not agreeing to his demands, the trucks were eventually allowed to offload the coal. This entire exchange was captured by the truck’s fleet vehicle camera system, which later served as critical evidence in the investigation.
Eskom’s Response and Investigation
Eskom launched an internal investigation following the incident. The investigation confirmed that Magagula had indeed solicited a bribe from the truck driver and his supervisor. Contrary to Magagula’s claims, the investigation also established that the coal delivered met Eskom’s stringent specifications. Magagula was subsequently arrested at Camden Power Station on 11 October 2023.
In response to the conviction, Acting General Manager for Security at Eskom, Botse Sikhwitshi, commended the coal company’s team, Eskom’s internal security personnel, and the law enforcement agencies for their roles in bringing Magagula to justice. “The conviction of the suspect is a positive step in our continuous efforts to fight crime, fraud, and corruption, and to maintain the highest standards of integrity within the organisation. We commend the coal company’s team for their vigilance, as well as our internal security team and the law enforcement agencies. Their efforts, coordinated and led by the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM) Safety and Security Priority Committee, play a crucial role in supporting Eskom’s fight against criminal activities,” Sikhwitshi stated.
Eskom’s Broader Anti-corruption Efforts
The conviction of Magagula underscores Eskom’s broader commitment to rooting out corruption within its operations. Over the past few years, Eskom has intensified its efforts to identify and address corrupt activities, particularly within its supply chain and procurement processes. This case represents just one of many instances where Eskom’s vigilance and collaboration with law enforcement have led to successful convictions.
Eskom has been grappling with significant challenges related to corruption, fraud, and sabotage, all of which have contributed to the utility’s operational difficulties and financial woes. The power utility’s leadership, in collaboration with the National Energy Crisis Committee (NECOM), has been working tirelessly to clamp down on these illicit activities. The success of these efforts is crucial not only for Eskom’s financial recovery but also for ensuring a reliable electricity supply to the country.
Public Involvement in Combating Corruption
Eskom continues to encourage the public to play an active role in reporting any suspicious activities or corruption-related incidents. The utility has established dedicated channels for the public to report unlawful activities, including illegal electricity sales, fraud, theft of coal, fuel oil, diesel, and critical infrastructure crimes. Reports can be made anonymously through the Eskom Crime Line at 0800 11 27 22 or via WhatsApp at 081 333 3323.
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