Byline: Nonjabuliso Nhlambo

06 March 2025

A 40-year-old security supervisor attached to Eskom Tutuka power station was arrested by the Hawks’ Secunda based Serious Organised Crime Investigation team on Wednesday, 05 March 2025.

The warrant for his arrest was issued and executed, which brings the number of accused in the matter to eight. The other seven accused, inclusive of the Eskom Tutuka power station principal inspector Refilwe Motloung, her brother and brother in law were arrested during October 2024.

On Monday, 30 September 2024, a Provincial Traffic Officer was on duty at Kinross weigh bridge when he stopped a Toyota Hilux double cab bakkie loaded with copper cables. The officer directed the vehicle to the weigh bridge station, but the driver drove away.

The traffic officer chased the vehicle. In the process, the driver lost control, and the vehicle overturned. The Hawks’ Secunda based Serious Organised Crime Investigation was summoned to the scene. Upon arrival, the team interviewed the three African males who were transporting the copper cables, and they failed to give satisfactory explanation. They were arrested, and their alibi led to the arrest of another 40 year old male. 

The multidisciplinary team comprising of the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime, Serious Corruption Investigation all based in Secunda, Priority Crime Specialised Investigation in Mpumalanga, Provincial Traffic Officers, Secunda K9, Local Criminal Record Centre, Charl Cilliers Visible Policing, Evander SAPS, Crime Intelligence, Eskom Security and Fidelity Security followed up information which led them to a farm where an Eskom truck dropped a consignment of copper cables. During the investigation, it was discovered that copper cables were stripped and burnt. Upon searching, more copper cables were recovered.

The team proceeded to Tutuka Eskom Power station, where the cables were allegedly stolen. The exhibits and the bakkie were seized.

Further investigation revealed that the principal inspector at Tutuka power station, Refilwe Motloung, was also involved. Refilwe was later arrested. Her arrest led to the arrest of her brother and brother-in-law.

The eighth suspect was arrested on Wednesday, 05 March 2025, and is expected to appear before the Standerton Magistrate’s Court on Thursday, 06 March 2025