By Rorisang Modiba
- Security company Bidvest Protea Coin says it has found more than one hundred suspected illegal fuel depots across South Africa.
- Dishonest sellers mix untaxed paraffin into diesel to make more money, but this fake fuel will seriously damage vehicle engines.
South African drivers must watch out for a fast-growing wave of fake diesel.
Fuel prices are very high, and diesel costs are expected to stay above R30 a litre. This is driving criminals to sell contaminated fuel for profit.
Security company Bidvest Protea Coin says it has found over 100 suspected illegal fuel depots across the country. These sites mix paraffin with diesel.
Paraffin is cheaper because the government does not tax it like diesel. Dishonest sellers mix paraffin into diesel to sell more fuel and make a bigger profit.
This mixed fuel might cost slightly less at the pump, but it can seriously damage vehicle engines.
Experts say this illegal practice has been happening for years, but it is now spreading quickly. Criminals are even removing the special markers placed in paraffin that authorities use to detect it.
Investigations have caught many service stations selling this bad fuel. Tests show some fuel contains more than 50% paraffin.
Authorities have already seized millions of litres of illegal fuel in recent operations.
Experts advise drivers to fill up only at trusted fuel stations, especially those linked to major oil companies, to avoid costly damage to their cars.
Pictured above: A fuel truck.
Image source: File
