Eskom cries foul at Tutuka as suspects cut cables
An investigation is underway at Eskom following damage to some infrastructure at the Tutuka Power Station.
On Thursday, the power utility confirmed an incident where a cable was severed at the plant in Mpumalanga.
This comes as the power station was finalising preparations to return unit 5 to service but it's now understood the damage to the cable added a 3-day delay to the unit's return to service.
The cable has since been repaired, with plans to return the unit to service resumed.
But the power utility's woes didn't end there.
"On the same day a few hours later, it was again discovered that there was a station control air pressure drop and the same Unit 5 Turbine systems which consume control air for operation were de-energised. It was later discovered that the control air pipe supplying the Turbine systems had been cut with a power tool and the entire bend removed. Some was welded back on and the system charged with control air before being normalised," said Eskom spokesperson Sikonathi Mantshantsha.
The unit is expected to return to service later on Thursday.
Mantshantsha says the power utility believes a third force was at play.
"Eskom believes these were deliberate acts of sabotage by someone who had access to the site where only employees have access and knows the security features in the area quite well.
"Eskom has laid criminal charges with the South African Police Service and its forensic team is assisting with the investigation," he added.
This is the fifth incident of sabotage since March last year.
The latest incident hits an already constrained power grid, with power cuts implemented throughout the week.
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