Eskom welcomes 35-year sentence of contract worker for tampering and theft at Camden Power Station, Mpumalanga – 20 years to be served behind bars

Tuesday, 27 January 2026: Eskom welcomes the firm sentence handed down by the Ermelo District Court against Mr Simeon Majaonke Shongwe, a former Howden contractor employee, convicted of tampering with essential infrastructure and theft that caused damages of more than R22 million and disrupted operations at Camden Power Station, a designated National Key Point, in November 2022.

On Monday, 26 January 2026, Shongwe was sentenced to 20 years imprisonment for tampering with essential infrastructure and 15 years for theft, with the sentences running concurrently. He will serve 20 years behind bars.

This conviction is a decisive milestone in Eskom’s ongoing strategy against criminal acts targeting South Africa’s electricity system. Tampering with essential infrastructure and theft are direct attacks on the stability of electricity supply to millions of citizens — and will be met with severe consequences.

“This sentence is a decisive warning, tampering with Eskom’s infrastructure and theft will be met with uncompromising justice. Eskom is continually improving its governance structures and investigative capabilities to ensure that anyone who threatens South Africa’s electricity supply faces swift and severe consequences. Eskom, in on-going collaboration with the South African Police Service and national security structures, will continue to protect our power stations and safeguard the nation’s energy future,” said Eskom Group Chief Executive, Dan Marokane.

To strengthen governance and enhance investigative capabilities, Eskom has consolidated its forensic, security and investigative functions into the newly formed Group Investigations and Security Division, which reports directly to the Group Chief Executive. Through collaboration with the NATJOINTS Energy Safety and Security Priority Committee, Eskom works to facilitate swift action against fraud and corruption, protecting its assets and maintaining public trust.

Eskom also commends the South African Police Service (SAPS) for their relentless commitment and effective collaboration in bringing offenders to justice and the support of the NATJOINTS Energy Safety and Security Priority Committee.

Background

Shongwe was arrested in November 2022 after being positively linked to an incident at Camden Power Station. The investigations revealed that he intentionally removed the bearing oil drain plug from a turbine that is used to generate electricity, causing repeated tripping of the oil burners. This malicious act drained all oil from the bearing, severely damaging it and preventing the mills in the turbine from operating optimally. Camden Power Station Unit 4 subsequently tripped after losing all the mills. Evidence and a confession confirmed that the plug was removed to cause the trip.

ENDS