KZN transport employee arrested in explosive diesel theft scandal

A KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport employee has been arrested in connection with an alleged diesel theft syndicate

A KwaZulu-Natal Department of Transport employee has been arrested in connection with an alleged diesel theft syndicate operating within the department.

According to  MEC for Transport Siboniso Duma, the employee was arrested at the department’s Empangeni offices in connection with an alleged diesel theft scheme linked to a wider syndicate operating within the department.

"Importantly, we salute our honest transport officer and our specialised security team of investigators for working diligently with the South African Police Service to ensure the arrest of this dishonest employee," Duma said.

Duma further said the theft of fuel had affected infrastructure delivery across the province, including road construction and maintenance projects.

He referenced a R177 million road rehabilitation project in Bergville under the Okhahlamba Local Municipality, saying such projects have suffered due to fuel shortages linked to criminal activity.

"A contractor was robbed of 300 litres of diesel by gun-wielding members of the construction mafia.Last week, we published a statement following the arrest of three criminals in connection with the theft of 43 pieces of heavy construction equipment.

"These include TLBs, excavators, pay loaders, rollers, tipper trucks, grader machines, truck cranes and departmental vehicles".

Duma said the department had deployed specialised investigators to tackle the problem under the #NenzanLaEzweni Operation, which is aimed at rooting out corruption and theft of state resources.

He said the operation focuses on several forms of alleged misconduct, including “cash-back collusion”, where fuel cards are swiped for a full tank but only part of the fuel is dispensed, with the remaining value allegedly paid back in cash to officials involved.