Hawks uncover petrol theft of R5m in Tembisa

An Engen filling station in Tembisa has been implicated in a petrol theft syndicate uncovered by the Hawks.

“The Serious Commercial Crime unit of the Hawks piloted an intelligence-driven operation on the weekend and arrested five suspects for fraud and theft of petroleum, estimated to the value of R5 million,” said Captain Ndivhuwo Mulamu of the Hawks.

Sandile Sikhosana, 46, a franchisee at Engen Tembisa Convenient Centre, and his daughter, Nompumelelo Sikhosana, 27, who are executives at Langlaagte Engen Depot, allegedly created false fuel order forms to sell fuel on the black market for personal gain, Kempton Express reported.

The other three accused, truck drivers Lucky Sikhosana, 46, Jackson Motlhowa, 51, and Zwelibanzi Sibeko, 46, allegedly assisted with loading fuel into the delivery trucks and transported it to service stations around Gauteng, including Engen Tembisa Convenient Centre between 2012 and 2014.

The suspects have appeared before the Johannesburg Specialised Commercial Crimes Court on Monday, January 30, for fraud and theft and their case have been postponed to February 21 for further investigation.

Sandile and Nompumelelo Sikhosana were granted bail of R10 000 each, while Lucky Sikhosana and Jackson Motlhowa got R5 000 bail each.

Zwilbanzi Sibeko was due to pay R3 000 bail.

“More arrests are imminent,” said Mulamu.

– Caxton News Service