A routine shift ends in tragedy for an Eskom family in Mpumalanga

A routine shift ends in tragedy for an Eskom family in Mpumalanga

What should have been an ordinary drive home after work ended in heartbreak this weekend, when an Eskom employee was shot dead and his wife seriously injured in Mpumalanga.

The couple, understood to be husband and wife, had just completed their shift at the Kriel Power Station when gunmen opened fire on them. The man died from his injuries, while his wife was rushed to hospital, where she remains under medical care.

Eskom urges calm as investigation unfolds

Eskom spokesperson Daphne Mokwena confirmed the incident and said the utility was devastated by the loss.

“The husband sustained fatal injuries while his wife was hospitalised and is receiving medical care,” Mokwena said, adding that Eskom had expressed its “deep sadness” to the family and colleagues affected by the shooting.

As news of the killing spread, speculation quickly surfaced online, with some suggesting the attack may have been a targeted hit linked to Eskom or power station operations. Eskom has firmly pushed back against those claims.

“We have noted with concern the accusations circulating in the public domain,” Mokwena said. “As the South African Police Service and other authorities are still investigating, it is premature, irresponsible and inappropriate to make any definitive claims.”

She urged both the public and the media to avoid amplifying unverified information and to allow investigators the space to do their work.

A familiar fear for workers in critical infrastructure

The shooting has struck a nerve, particularly in Mpumalanga, where power stations are deeply woven into local communities. Thousands of families rely on these facilities for employment, and workers often travel long distances at odd hours, a reality that makes them vulnerable in a country grappling with violent crime.

On social media, messages of sympathy have poured in from fellow Eskom employees and South Africans, many expressing anger that ordinary workers are increasingly caught in the crossfire of crime.

Support for family and staff

Eskom says it is working closely with law enforcement and is providing support to the family as well as colleagues who have been affected by the tragedy.

“Our thoughts are with the family, colleagues, and all those affected by this tragic incident,” Mokwena said, noting that updates would be shared as investigations progress.

Separate incident at Koeberg explained

The shooting comes during a tense period for the power utility, following a separate incident last week at the Koeberg Nuclear Power Station in Cape Town.

Eskom confirmed that electricity output was temporarily reduced after a fault occurred at a nearby transmission substation. Mokwena explained that both units at Koeberg were safely reduced to lower output as a protective measure, and that the nuclear reactors themselves were not affected.

The incident was reported to the National Nuclear Regulator, as required.

A sobering reminder

While Eskom battles technical challenges and public scrutiny daily, this weekend’s events serve as a stark reminder that behind the grid are real people, workers who clock in, do their jobs, and expect to return home safely.

For one family in Mpumalanga, that expectation was tragically shattered.

{Source: The Citizen}

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