Fin24 reports that nine people were arrested at Kusile power station on Thursday for alleged fraud and theft of coal.

Among those arrested were eight weighbridge operators, not employed by Eskom, and a coal truck driver, who are expected to appear in court at a later date. The suspects have been detained at the Phola police station. The nine were arrested after a tip-off that coal haulers would be bypassing Kusile – but without offloading the coal that had been ordered. This sparked an investigation by the police, as well as an internal Eskom investigation that was supported by the Bidvest Protea Coin Investigation team. Eskom said on Friday: "Investigations revealed that the weighbridge operators would process weighbridge transactions without the coal hauler having entered the power station to offload the coal. Kusile Power Station would, however, be invoiced for the coal ordered but not received." The power utility anticipates further arrests. Botse Sikhwitshi, acting general manager for security at Eskom, said the arrests were a "significant step in our fight against crime in Eskom".

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard compiled by Marelise van der Merwe at Fin24

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