Man posing as ‘municipal worker’ nabbed for diesel theft
The suspect, who was caught red-handed, was filling diesel more than 10 times a day.
THE eThekwini Municipality has encouraged residents to report fraud and corruption after a tip-off led to the arrest of a man purporting to be a municipal employee who was caught red-handed filling diesel at one of the petrol stations where the City’s fleet refuel.
The suspect used four vehicles fitted with a 740-litre fuel tank at the base of each single cab van.
The Municipal City Fleet Directorate received reports that there are municipal vehicles filling diesel more than 10 times a day.
Director of the City Integrity and Investigations Unit (CIIU) Jimmy Ngcobo confirmed that forensic investigators from the municipality’s CIIU conducted a preliminary investigation and found that a fuel master, belonging to the Water and Sanitation Directorate, was being used by privately owned cars.
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The fuel master being used was for a vehicle that has been stationary for a long time and is going to be disposed of.
The suspect had duplicated the number plate and branding on the side of the car doors to make it look similar to other municipal cars.
“The diesel was stored in the 740-litre fuel tanks and then resold. Each vehicle generated about R78 000 a day,” Ngcobo said.
Ngcobo said the man was caught red-handed with assistance from the Metro Police and private company Reaction Unit South Africa.
“The suspect did rounds everyday filling diesel at over 15 petrol stations around the City. The Municipality has suffered a great financial loss, which is why we are calling on various stakeholders to report fraud and corruption when they see it happening,” Ngcobo said.
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The man was arrested and charged for fraud and corruption.
“He appeared in court and the matter was remanded until August. The man, when arrested, was dressed in a municipal uniform but admitted that he does not work for the City. He is employed by a private individual and gets paid R2000 a day.”
The public can report fraud and corruption by calling 0800 20 20 20 or sending an email to ombuds@durban.gov.za.
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