Limpopo police launch manhunt for group that stole R5.5m worth of diesel
The incident took place at a fuel depot in Louis Trichardt and a truck driver was seriously injured.
IMPOPO – Provincial police commissioner Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe wants the group that stole R5.5m worth of diesel and shot a truck driver, brought to book.
The group reportedly pulled off a robbery at a fuel depot in Louis Trichardt on Saturday (May 7) night after they pretended to want to buy diesel.
Police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo said in a statement the manager of the depot that sells diesel in bulk, opened the premises’ gate.
“The occupants, who were armed, then jumped out and took the remote control from the manager. They also took his cellphone and an amount of cash before they forced him into another room and locked him in,” Mojapelo explained.
Four other employees were reportedly tied up with cable ties and locked in separate rooms. They too were robbed of their cellphones.
A 43-year-old truck driver, whose truck was parked on the premises, was shot during the robbery. Mojapelo confirmed to Review the man was shot three times and seriously injured.
“Six fuel tankers, driven by members of the group, entered the premises and were filled up with diesel worth R5.5m. The group drove off before the police were called and on arrival, they found the injured man and he was taken to a nearby hospital,” he said.
The police’s preliminary investigations revealed that the registration plates on one of these trucks are registered to a sedan in Gauteng.
Mojapelo added that a task team that comprises detectives from provincial, district and station levels, was established to track the group down.
“Anyone with information is requested to contact Lieutenant Colonel Richard Boshomane on 079 894 5501 or call the toll free Crime Stop number on 08600 10111. Alternatively, contact your nearest police station,” he concluded.
