Trending video in South Africa
WATCH: Limpopo driver makes off with two full tanks of fuel in as many days
A fuel thief is filling up his car and driving off without paying in Polokwane, Limpopo.
He was caught on CCTV camera having hit two petrol stations a day apart in the same town and driving off without paying on both occasions.
On the 3rd of July we see the white VW Polo (whose registration is known to News24) filling up with R750 of petrol at Engen Fontana Service Station in Polokwane.
The driver waits for the petrol attendant to fetch a card machine before speeding of the forecourt to the bewilderment of the attendant.
Just a day later, the same vehicle again fills up with R750 worth of fuel at the BP Capricon Motors on the very next street. This time he makes a feeble attempt at payment before driving off with the petrol attendant hot on his tail.
‘’This happens every two weeks, we had another incident yesterday (09 July 2018), a Nissan bakkie that drove away with R100 worth of fuel.’’ Albert Botha, owner of Engen Fontana Service Station told
News24.
The Fuel Retailers Association CEO, Reggie Sibiya says that the theft of fuel in South Africa has almost become a normal part of doing business for retailers.
Citing the weak economy and the increases in the fuel price, Mr Sibiya said it is individual fuel retailers that bear the brunt due to drivers driving off without paying.
The impact on a single site can be huge because of narrow profit margins.
‘’The cure for this problem is pre-payment for fuel and not dealing with the symptoms. But the challenge will be in getting customers to adjust to a new system’’ Added Sibiya.
Limpopo SAPS spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Moatshe Ngoepe has confirmed that a charge of theft has been laid with the Polokwane SAPS with regards to the BP Capricon Motors incident.
The owner of Engen Fontana Service Station has not laid any charges so far but intends doing so as soon as he gathers additional information that would be of help to the authorities.
Subscribe to News24:
