CAPE TOWN - ’Due to the high incidence of fraud and driver-off’s we will be requesting payment first before dispensing any fuel.’
So reads a notice placed at a petrol station along Turfhall Road near Newfields, which that a motorist shared via social media.
At another petrol station, a notice stated that fuel purchases in the evenings had to be paid upfront due to many motorists fleeing without payment.
The Motor Industry Staff Association (MISA) said it condemned the trend.
“The sky-rocketing fuel price is affecting the lives of all South Africans. People have less money to spend on basic needs like food. It can never be used as a justification for stealing fuel. This is criminal, and if caught these criminals must be sentenced to lengthy imprisonment.”
They said theft incidents like drive-offs and fraud resulted in financial strain for the retailer and was a threat to jobs.
Western Cape Community Policing Forum (CPF) board chairperson Fransina Lukas said they heard reports about driver-off’s and there was no justification for it.
“This has nothing to do with affordability or any excuse, it is criminality.
“We are hoping more people will get arrested because this is the bread and safety of attendants that is at risk.
“We also encourage that management of these businesses implement such rules where drivers have to pay before refuelling. We condemn this, it is utterly unacceptable.”
Recently a Former constable, Khuezi Gift Tshuku, 29, and another accused, Zixolisile Skade, 25, appeared in the George Magistrate’s Court following their arrest by the Hawks for their alleged involvement in petrol card fraud.
Hawks spokesperson Zinzi Hani said their arrest was due to a collaborative effort between George police Crime Prevention Unit and the Hawks’ Serious Commercial Crime Investigation team.
“The Hawks team in conjunction with local police were able to bust the alleged fraudsters operating with cloned fuel cards. The duo was arrested in possession of 15 x 25 litre containers of fuel and cloned cards with Western Cape Government fleet card information on the magnetic strip,” said Hani.
Cape Times