eThekwini Municipality has issued a stern warning to employees involved in fraud and corruption, vowing that offenders will face legal consequences. This follows the arrest of a municipal truck driver who was caught siphoning diesel from a water tanker in Reservoir Hills last Tuesday.
The driver, who was on leave at the time, was meant to have the truck at City Fleet for tyre repairs but was instead caught red-handed, thanks to a tip-off from a vigilant community member.
Investigations revealed that the diesel theft had been ongoing for over two years, with the suspect allegedly selling fuel at R13 per litre, profiting R5,200 per 400-litre tank.
According to Jimmy Ngcobo, head of the city's Integrity and Investigations Unit, authorities are actively tackling cases of diesel theft, stolen asphalt tar, car parts, refuse bags, and stationery, as well as the misuse of municipal vehicles.
Ngcobo added that officials are closely monitoring trucks with unusually high diesel consumption to prevent further losses.