An Eskom contract worker, Simeon Shongwe, has been sentenced to 35 years in prison by the Ermelo District Court for deliberately causing extensive damage at the Camden Power Station.
The incident occurred in November 2022, when Shongwe sabotaged critical infrastructure at the facility, resulting in losses estimated at more than R22 million.
The court ruled that Shongwe will effectively serve 20 years behind bars, with sentences for tampering with essential infrastructure and theft ordered to run concurrently.
Authorities said the conviction sends a strong message to those involved in acts of sabotage that disrupt public service delivery and threaten the country’s energy security.
Eskom welcomed the ruling, describing it as a significant step in deterring criminal activity targeting power stations and other key installations.