Diesel Theft of 32,000 litres in Mpumalanga: Police Questions Four Suspects

An audacious theft that saw over 32,000 litres of diesel drained from a hijacked truck in Hectorspruit, Mpumalanga has shocked local authorities. Four men have been detained for questioning, as police delve into circumstances surrounding the brazen act.

Colonel Donald Mdhluli, a spokesperson for Mpumalanga police, revealed the hijacked truck was initially commandeered after its driver made a pitstop at a filling station disbursed along the N4 road.

"The driver reportedly left the truck to venture into a kiosk, upon his return, he was allegedly accosted by a group of armed individuals who quickly hijacked the diesel-loaded truck," said Mdhluli.

Police were alerted of the audacious theft and swung into investigatory action. Officers from the Komatipoort community stumbled upon premises with Jojo tanks, a known container for liquids.

Mdhluli narrated: "Upon questioning a man found on the premises, inconsistencies arose, prompting officers to inspect the JoJo tanks. They were astonished to find the tanks brimming with diesel.”

A further investigation led police to another location where they discovered a car jammer, a pellet gun and a firearm. Three more culprits were identified and brought in for questioning.

The dedication of the police officers yielded another discovery at the Mjejejane Trust premises—a truck with approximately 1,500 litres of diesel. Details of the vehicle's acquisition are still under investigation.

Back in April, a similar crime was reported in Mpumalanga when a police officer was slain while investigating a diesel theft at a local mine.

South Africa continues to grapple with these daring acts of theft and hijacking that threaten the safety of the community and significantly impact the nation's economy.