A task team has been assembled to track down and arrest suspects involved the R5.5 million diesel fuel heist that was pulled off at the Louis Trichardt depot in Limpopo this past Saturday.
Limpopo diesel heist: Task team established to trace suspects
According to police spokesperson Brigadier Motlafela Mojapelo, specialists from all spheres of law enforcement have been roped into the manhunt for the mob of robbers who not only face business robbery charges, but a case of attempted murder too.
The Louis Trichardt depot is only open to bulk diesel purchasers and it was under this false pretence that a truck carrying armed gunmen gained entry at approximately 19:00 on Saturday 7 May 2022.
“It is alleged that the manager of the depot, which sells diesel in bulk, opened the gate for a truck which entered the premises under the pretence of buying diesel. Suddenly, the occupants jumped out armed with firearms and took the remote control and cell phones from the manager,” Brig Mojapelo revealed in a statement.
With full control of the Louis Trichardt depot’s access points, it’s alleged the robbers locked the manager into a room, as well as four other employees who were bound with cable ties and stripped them of their cellphones.
A truck driver who may have been oblivious to the diesel heist taking place at the depot was spotted by the robbers and shot at.
“The suspects then came in driving six trucks and filled them up with diesel worth R5, 5 million before they drove off,” Mojapelo added.
Fortunately, the truck driver forged enough strength to alert police and upon arrival, he was rushed to a nearby medical facility for emergency treatment.
A preliminary scan of one of the six impostor truck’s registration plates showed it belonged to a Volvo sedan from Gauteng.
“The Provincial Commissioner of Police in Limpopo Lieutenant General Thembi Hadebe has instructed the members of this Team to hunt down the suspects involved and bring them to book,” the statement concluded.