A community member alerted the authorities about an off-duty municipal employee who was arrested after being caught red-handed offloading diesel from a water tanker in Reservoir Hills on Tuesday, 11 February 2025.
The eThekwini Municipality spokesperson Gugu Sisilana said that following the tip-off, a team of investigators arrested the employee, who appeared in court on 12 February.
“The truck was supposed to be at City Fleet for tyre repairs. The driver was on leave at the time of the incident,” said Sisilana.
Head of the City Integrity and Investigations Unit, Jimmy Ngcobo, praised the community member for anonymously reporting fraudulent and corrupt activities.
”The municipality is losing millions of rands due to diesel theft and other resources. Further investigations revealed that the theft has been ongoing for over two years. The suspect was selling the diesel for R13 per litre, which is significantly cheaper than the current diesel price. He was making around R5,200 from a 400-litre tank,” Ngcobo explained.
He warned other employees who may be involved in fraudulent or corrupt activities that they would also be caught.
”We are closely monitoring the use of diesel in municipal vehicles. It was suspicious that one truck was filling up four times a day. Some trucks are also spending excessively on diesel each month. Employees exhibiting such behaviour are a liability to the municipality.
Labour law states that stealing in the workplace is a misconduct and should be met with a sanction appropriate to the offence,” Ngcobo added. Investigations are underway regarding other cases, including the theft of diesel, asphalt tar, car parts, the sale of refuse bags, stationery, and the misuse of the municipal fleet. Ngcobo emphasised that employees caught committing fraud or corruption cannot resign to avoid internal disciplinary action, as a moratorium currently prevents employees facing criminal charges from leaving their positions.
He also highlighted that management must implement stronger controls to deter theft. ”We encourage residents to report fraud and corruption, as it directly affects them by depriving communities of the service delivery they deserve,” Ngcobo concluded.
The public can report fraud and corruption by calling 0800 20 20 20 or emailing ombuds@durban.gov.za.
