POLOKWANE – Stopping at a filling station to refuel your vehicle is something every motorist should do regularly and little to no thought, except the fuel price, is given to this act.
In light of the recent bombings of two filling stations in the city, however, the reality of the risk involved in working as a filling station attendant or cashier took centre stage.
According to Irene Schempers from the Bendor Shell Garage, they have various security precautions in place should an emergency occur.
“We train all our staff so they know how to handle an emergency situation. We also do random mock trials and various panic button tests to keep everyone on their toes and in the know. All the personnel here are like family, we work together every day and the thought of someone getting hurt due to a robbery is a scary reality we face every day,” she said.
Johan Potgieter, owner of Sasol Bendor, is of the opinion the culprits involved in the recent robberies must be part of a big syndicate seeing as they knew exactly what to do in a record amount of time. “These attacks are spreading to the countryside from the city as thieves assume we are softer targets, and therefore oil companies, the Department of Minerals as well as owners of filling stations must assist in this situation.”
Priscilla Hlaka, Manager at Sasol Gateway, explained a bombing took place at their other branch, Sasol Madiba Park, last year which caused havoc and significant damage.
“We are very vigilant when it comes to staff training as it is of utmost importance, prevention is better than a cure,” she explained, adding they have various precautionary steps in place. She said all their staff are trained to know what to do in such situations.
According to the Assistant Manager at Shell Bendor, Sydwell Chauke, personnel are aware of the risk involved in working with an expensive flammable liquid; they are trained to do so, however, he added.
One of the cashiers, Sophy Shokae, said: “Being a mother, I have responsibilities to provide for my children, and this is my job. I have to take care of my family”.
There is thus consensus among filling station staff and owners that working at a filling station does come with a high risk but security measures are in place in order to prevent and deal with such situations.
Police search for wanted suspect linked to Polokwane and Tzaneen petrol station bombings
According to the police report no one was injured during the two recent bombings, however, it is alleged a group of suspects driving in a white BMW and blue Toyota Corolla attacked the filling stations, blew up the drop safes with explosives and fled the scene with an undisclosed amount of money.
According to Police Spokesperson, Moatshe Ngoepe, no arrests have been made and investigations are ongoing. He urged anyone with information to contact Capt Richard Boshomane at 079 894 5501, the Crime Stop Line at 08600 10111, the Crime Line SMS at 32211 or the nearest police station.
