Meyerton – A multi-disciplinary law enforcement team has arrested 11 suspects in a coordinated intelligence-driven operation that uncovered an alleged fuel theft at a fuel plant believed to be under administration.
The arrests were carried out by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), together with tactical and organised crime units. Investigators are also probing whether security personnel guarding the facility were working with the suspects.
Hawks National Spokesperson Christopher Singo confirmed that authorities acted on information about a possible theft in progress.
“This morning we received information about the possibility of theft that was about to take place,” Singo said. “Our members… put the place under surveillance. While the place was under surveillance, we saw two trucks coming into the plant to refuel diesel. Our members then followed up on those trucks… and intercepted them and arrested the 11 suspects before they took the fuel inside that particular plant.”
Singo noted that fuel theft remains a recurring issue that the Hawks actively address. The plant in question had been placed under administration by SARS and was not supposed to be operating.
Regarding the composition of the suspects, Singo revealed that two security officials alleged to have been guarding the facility are among those arrested.
“There are two security officials that… are alleged to be in cahoots with the other nine suspects,” he said. “The security officials… opened the gate for these people to come in, knowing exactly that the place is under administration [and] is not supposed to operate at this particular time.”
The group includes both foreign nationals and South African citizens. Singo stated there is currently no information indicating the involvement of police officers, though that aspect remains under investigation.
Authorities are not yet disclosing details about the potential destination or buyers of the stolen fuel, describing it as an active line of inquiry. Singo emphasised that the involvement of foreign nationals requires thorough probing to determine whether the diesel was intended for local use or to be taken out of the country.
Singo indicated that investigations are ongoing and further arrests cannot be ruled out. He linked the persistence of such crimes to the high price of diesel, stating that the Hawks remain on high alert and are committed to acting swiftly on intelligence to enforce the rule of law and prevent fuel theft.