tanker driver diesel

A truck driver and his employer were arrested for suspected stolen goods and bribery. Images: SAPS.

Tanker driver busted with stolen diesel, employer arrested for bribery

A tanker driver failed to declare diesel for importation and was arrested. His employer was arrested too for trying to bribe police.

tanker driver diesel

A truck driver and his employer were arrested for suspected stolen goods and bribery. Images: SAPS.

A Zimbabwean tanker driver and his employer appeared at the Emalahleni Magistrates Court for trying to bribe police after failing to declare diesel at Middleburg Toll Plaza in Mpumalanga.

The driver was arrested during a stop and search operation on Monday, 16 January 2023, around 03:45.

TANKER DRIVER AND OWNER ARRESTED

According to the South African Police Service (SAPS), the driver was arrested for possessing suspected stolen property and failing to declare goods (diesel) for importation.

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Police spokesperson Brigadier Selvy Mohlala said members of Middleburg Flying Squad reportedly stopped the tanker, which was fully loaded with diesel at Middleburg Toll Plaza.

Police then requested documentation for the load, but they were reportedly given documents indicating that the driver had already delivered the load in Johannesburg on Wednesday, 11 January 2023.

Mohlala said foul play was suspected, which led police to take the 47-year-old driver, tanker, and the load to the police station for further questioning.

“When police were still busy with the investigation, the owner of the tanker, aged 44, arrived at the police station. He offered to pay undisclosed cash in exchange for releasing his tanker and its load,” he said.

tanker driver diesel
The tanker. Image: SAPS.

According to information, the tanker owner left the police station and moments later returned with cash and tried to bribe the police. He was immediately arrested for alleged bribery.

The two appeared at the Emalahleni Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 18 January 2023, facing the said charges.

Mpumalanga Police Commissioner Lieutenant General Semakaleng Daphney Manamela praised members for the stunt displayed against corruption and crime.

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