Ogies – Former Kusile Power Station employee, 57-year-old Zisebenzele Anton Gumede, who was found guilty of theft of diesel has been sentenced by the Ogies District Court, in Mpumalanga to 24 months in prison.
However, the sentence was “wholly suspended” for five years on the condition that the accused is not convicted for the same offense during the period of suspension.
Gumede was sentenced on Tuesday, (3 December 2024).
The accused’s troubles began on 20 July 2022 when he was arrested at Kusile Power Station in Mpumalanga.
Giving details of events leading to Gumede’s arrest, Hawks spokesperson Lieutenant Colonel Dineo Lucy Sekgotodi, said it was reported that on the day, Gumede was on duty and was driving the water bowser.
Gumede drove the water bowser truck out of the power station premises at about 06:30 without permission from his supervisor.
However, an alert security officer noticed that Gumede drove the water bowser truck out of the power station.
When Gumede returned the water bowser truck, the security officer stopped him and noticed that the fuel tank was empty.
Lieutenant Colonel Sekgotodi said the security officers checked the distance driven and discovered that the water bowser truck had travelled less than 10 km yet it was returned with an empty fuel tank.
Further checks revealed that when Gumede left the power station the vehicle had a full fuel tank.
Gumede could not explain what happened to the fuel.
Police from Phola were summoned and Gumede was arrested.
“The matter was investigated by the task team from Head Office, and the case was provisionally withdrawn,” explained Lieutenant Colonel Sekgotodi.
“The case was handed over to the Middelburg-based Serious Organised Crime Investigation for further investigation.
“The investigation was finalised, and a J175 was authorised and executed on the suspect.
“The matter was placed back on the court roll for prosecution.”
The accused appeared in court on several occasions until he was sentenced on Tuesday, 3 December 2024.
The Provincial Head of the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation Major General Gerber applauded his member’s commitment.
The General also acknowledged the security officials for reporting their colleagues.
