One person was arrested for siphoning fuel from an Ekurhuleni waste removal truck destined for Kempton Park.
ALSO READ: CoE puts measures in place as water levels get critically low in the region
This follows the release of two videos on social media in which a resident confronts a person in possession of a waste removal truck.
In one of the videos released, the resident accuses the driver of the truck of stealing diesel and in the second a person can be seen siphoning diesel into large 25-litre containers.
Officers from the Ekurhuleni Metro Police Department’s Community Liaison Unit (CLU) used the videos to trace the truck and suspect to Brakpan.
“The CLU received information, sourced from video footage and photos trending on social media and community groups, regarding an Ekurhuleni waste truck drained of diesel,” said EMPD spokesperson, Lieutenant Colonel Kelebogile Thepa.
“It was established that the truck was booked into an external service centre for repairs in Benoni.”
ALSO READ: City urges residents to conserve water
She added the service provider, who was not employed by the City of Ekurhuleni, called the foreman of the Brakpan workshop to request diesel for the truck.
“The suspect alleged that the truck was repaired and awaiting delivery to Kempton Park, however, it did not have sufficient fuel to reach its’ destination,” Thepa said.
“The officers inspected the diesel log sheet from the petrol attendant at the fuel depot in Brakpan. These officers found that the truck filled up with 221 litres of diesel on Monday, October 17,” she added.
The EMPD officers decided to continue their investigation and established that the truck went to fill up again, with 177 litres of diesel the next day, October 18.
“Members of the unit searched for the truck and spotted it at the Benoni workshop. It is alleged that the suspect took the truck to his house to drain the diesel over the two days.”
ALSO READ: City of Ekurhuleni opens several swimming pools
The suspect, who was arrested at his home, alleged that he only drained two containers of 25 litres.
“When asked about the person who was in the video with him, the suspect said he did not know the person’s whereabouts, alleging he only knows the person is from Tsakani.
“The suspect was detained at Brakpan Police Station and charged with theft.”
He appeared in the Brakpan Magistrate’s Court while investigations continued.
Also follow us on:
