ETHEKWINI NEWSFLASH

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

20 JUNE 2025

 

A man purporting to be an eThekwini Municipality employee was caught red-handed filling diesel at one of the petrol stations where the City’s fleet refuel. The man was arrested after a tip-off from the Municipal City Fleet Directorate stating that there are Municipal vehicles filling diesel more than 10 times a day. Forensic Investigators from the Municipality’s City Integrity and Investigations Directorate conducted a preliminary investigation after receiving the complaint. They found that a fuel master, belonging to the Water and Sanitation Directorate, was being used by privately owned cars. The fuel master being used was for a vehicle that has been stationary for a long time and is going to be disposed of. The suspect had duplicated the number plate and branding on the side of the car doors to make it look similar to other Municipal cars.

 

Director of the City Integrity and Investigations Directorate Jimmy Ngcobo said in this instance, Municipal employees were working with external people to conduct fraud and corruption. “The culprit had four vehicles fitted with a 750-litre fuel tank at the base of each single cab van. The diesel was stored in these tanks and resold. Each vehicle generated about R78 000 a day,” said Ngcobo. 
Ngcobo said the man was caught red-handed with assistance from the Metro Police and private company Reaction Unit South Africa. The suspect did rounds everyday filling diesel at over 15 petrol stations around the City, he said.

 
“The Municipality has suffered a great financial loss, which is why we are calling on various stakeholders to report fraud and corruption when they see it happening,” Ngcobo said. The man was arrested and charged for fraud and corruption. He appeared in court and the matter was remanded until August. The man, when arrested, was dressed in a Municipal uniform but admitted that he does not work for the City. He is employed by a private individual and gets paid R2000 a day. Ngcobo said this is organised crime and should be dealt with seriously. 

 

He urged the public to report suspected crimes targeting Municipal infrastructure.

 

The public can report fraud and corruption by calling 0800 20 20 20 or send an email to ombuds@durban.gov.za

 

ENDS