“Uncompromising Justice”: Eskom Hails 35-Year Sentence as Warning to Saboteurs

The message from Megawatt Park this week was stark and unequivocal: if you tamper with the country’s electricity infrastructure, you will face “swift and severe consequences.” This stern warning from Eskom Group Chief Executive Dan Marokane follows a landmark court sentence that has sent shockwaves through criminal networks targeting power stations.

In a decisive ruling, the Ermelo District Court sentenced Simeon Shongwe to an effective 35 years in prison for his role in a deliberate act of sabotage at the Camden Power Station in November 2022. Eskom has welcomed the sentence as a “decisive milestone” in its fight against the criminal acts that exacerbate load-shedding for millions.

The Malicious Act That Cost R22.7 Million

The details of the crime reveal a calculated attack on the national grid. Investigations, which led to Shongwe’s arrest, found that he intentionally removed the bearing oil drain plug from a generating turbine. This single, malicious act drained all the lubricating oil, causing severe damage to the bearing and forcing the connected mills to shut down. The result was the tripping of Camden’s Unit 4 and damage estimated at a staggering R22.7 million.

Evidence and a confession confirmed the plug was removed with the explicit intent to cause the tripan act Eskom condemns as a “direct attack on the stability of electricity supply.”

A New Era of “Uncompromising” Security

Marokane stated that the sentence is a “decisive warning” and underscored Eskom’s hardening stance. “Tampering with Eskom’s infrastructure and theft will be met with uncompromising justice,” he said. This rhetoric is backed by structural changes within the utility.

To strengthen its response, Eskom has consolidated its forensic, security, and investigative units into a new Group Investigations and Security Division, which reports directly to the CEO. Furthermore, it is collaborating closely with the South African Police Service and the National Joint Operational and Intelligence Structure (NATJOINTS) through the Energy Safety and Security Priority Committee.

A Symbolic Victory in a Long War

While the Shongwe sentence is a significant victory, it highlights the ongoing war Eskom faces against sabotage, theft, and corruptionfactors that directly undermine generation capacity and prolong the energy crisis. The utility’s message is clear: it is fortifying its defences and the judicial system is demonstrating a willingness to impose maximum penalties.

For ordinary South Africans enduring relentless load-shedding, the case is a double-edged sword. It offers a glimpse of accountability for those who worsen the crisis, but also a sobering reminder of the sophisticated criminality the grid endures. As Eskom bolsters its governance and investigative teeth, the hope is that this 35-year sentence becomes a potent deterrent, not just an isolated example.