‘A serious national threat’: How two Pretoria crooks stole R3-million in fuel

One could hardly say that the petrol price is a “steal” in South Africa, but two brazen criminals have taken that notion to the extreme in Gauteng. The middle-aged suspects have been nabbed by the Hawks after they were found to be transporting stolen fuel across Pretoria.

Fuel me once: Petrol thieves caught in Pretoria

The pair are expected to appear in the Warden Magistrate’s Court on Thursday 2 January 2020, to face charges of theft and damaging essential infrastructure. These counts could land them with some pretty significant jail time, and the police have described the operation as being “a serious national threat“:

“The Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation team apprehended the pair following an intelligence-driven operation after information regarding four tankers reportedly transporting stolen fuel to Gauteng was received. Two suspects, aged 38 and 43, were arrested on Sunday 29 December 2019.

“Four tankers laden with stolen diesel and petrol were intercepted near a farm in Presentkraal Street, Pretoria. They have been seized for further investigation. The incident is one of many that are still under investigation by the Hawks which is now becoming a serious national threat.”

SAPS statement on the Pretoria petrol theft

Oil be damned…

The perps are believed to have stolen more than R3-million in fuel from tankers at a Transnet station in Warden. This particular seizure may not be an isolated incident, and SAPS are continuing to investigate a number of similar cases in South Africa.

Meanwhile, it’s been confirmed that there will be a decrease in petrol prices for the motorists of Mzansi in January – even though the costs of diesel and illuminating paraffin are on the rise. It’s understood that this large-scale theft in Pretoria will not affect the fuel price for January.

#sapsHAWKS Two suspects arrested on 29/12 for alleged theft of fuel valued over R3mill in Warden. Four tankers with stolen diesel & petrol were intercepted and seized. Pair to appear in court in Warden on 02/01. SWhttps://t.co/rMXrWe94hO pic.twitter.com/DINyMMSM2O

— SA Police Service (@SAPoliceService) December 30, 2019