Delmas SAPS nab suspected diesel thieves
Upon interviewing, the 33-year-old Zimbabwean national driver declared that the diesel was stolen at the Exxaro Mine on the R50 road and he would show the law enforcers the Exxaro employee who assisted them in stealing the diesel.
Delmas Police arrested foreign nationals for possession of suspected stolen diesel and seized vehicles converted into diesel tanks.
Delmas SAPS and members of AfriForum’s Valke Neighbourhood Watch were on operational duties when they noticed a suspicious-looking white Toyota Hilux bakkie with Gauteng number plates. This was on the night of September 15 in the Wolwefontein vicinity.
The vehicle resembled that of a mine vehicle and, upon testing the registration number, it suddenly sped off on the R42 road toward Nigel.
The members stopped the bakkie and found a vehicle converted into a diesel tank. They also found different-sized steel nozzles and a high-accuracy meter inside the vehicle.
“The driver of the converted bakkie, a 41-year-old Zimbabwean, indicated he was from Kempton Park and was waiting for diesel to be delivered to him,” said Captain Carla Hartley, media spokesperson for Delmas SAPS.
While interviewing the suspect, another white Toyota Hilux, also with GP number plates, similar to the one pulled off, passed the scene at high speed.
The Law enforcers also chased after this vehicle and pulled it off the road. Upon investigation, they found this vehicle was also converted into a diesel tank, which contained diesel, as well as a diesel pump.
They arrested two Zimbabwean nationals, both aged 30, also from Kempton Park. This was, however, not the last of the diesel thief successes of the evening.
While at the second arrest, a white Toyota Etios, also with GP number plates, passed by slowly.
“When this vehicle passed a second time, the members thought it to be strange and stopped this vehicle as well,” said Hartley.
On the back seat of the Etios, the members found two toolboxes and diesel containers with diesel.
The 33-year-old Zimbabwean national driver declared that the diesel was stolen at the Exxaro Mine on the R50 road.
He said he would show the law enforcers the Exxaro employee who assisted them in stealing the diesel.
The police members followed up on this information and arrested a 30-year-old employee for theft of diesel.
The police opened cases of possession of suspected stolen diesel and illegal immigrant charges against the Zimbabweans.
They also seized the vehicles and diesel and booked it in at Delmas SAPS. The accused appeared in the Delmas District Court for the first time on September 18.
Hartley expressed the station’s gratitude towards the AfriForum Valke Neighbourhood Watch for their assistance in these successes.
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