A former operative of a coal “black site” has revealed how syndicates around Middelburg hijacked Eskom’s coal supplies and resold them for around 10 times the price that Eskom pays.
Criminal syndicates are hijacking thousands of tonnes of Eskom coal and selling it at a hefty premium to international buyers,The publication said it made contact with a former operative who worked at a “black site” around Middelburg in Mpumalanga, which stole coal on the way from mines to power stations.
These are either highly inefficient at generating the heat required to produce electricity or could damage generating units, resulting in costly breakdowns that increase the likelihood of load-shedding. “[In] one night almost 2,000 tonnes of RB1 [high-grade] coal was dropped off. To give you an idea, 2,000 tonnes fills 65 trucks,” they stated.Experts estimate that Eskom pays between R400 and R750 per tonne of coal, while the export price was about $344 per tonne.The former operative said several people working along the coal supply chain were complicit in the criminal activity.
“There was usually a middleman who came with the truck. You pay him, and he pays everyone in the chain. A driver can get up to R30,000 per load. The minimum cut for a driver is R9,500. It all depends on the quality of the coal,” they stated.Minerals Council SA spokesperson Allan Seccombe told the publication people subcontracted to Eskom to take samples of coal deliveries were bribed as much as R100,000 per month to tamper with the results and make the combustible appear suitable for use.
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