TimesLive reports that the case against a 28-year-old Zimbabwean truck driver, who was arrested last Tuesday at the Camden power station in Mpumalanga on charges of fraud and theft of Eskom coal, has been withdrawn.

The Mpumalanga spokesperson for the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA), Monica Nyuswa, confirmed the withdrawal of the charges but declined to elaborate. "Please note that the above-mentioned matter was not enrolled due to insufficient evidence," Nyuswa said in a WhatsApp message. Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha also confirmed the withdrawal of the charges and expressed his disappointment with the decision. “It is true, he was released before appearing in court. Reasons for this disappointing act are not clear at this point,” Mantshantsha said. A source at Eskom claimed that the driver was caught in the act as he was about to enter Camden with a truckload of rubble instead of coal meant for the power station. Apparently, the driver collected the load of coal – valued at about R30,000 – from Msimbithi coal mine in Wonderfontein, near Belfast in Mpumalanga, and was supposed to deliver it to the Camden power station in Ermelo. He then deviated from the route to a coal-yard near Middelburg. The driver was eventually stopped before he could enter Camden, and when found with the inferior load he was arrested. The case was then referred to the Hawks for further investigation.

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Hendrik Hancke at TimesLive

Get other news reports at the SA Labour News home page