A TIMES SUNDAY INVESTIGATION REVEALS: HOW FUEL IS STOLEN AT CTA

MATSAPHA – Our undercover investigation has uncovered a disturbing operation that is potentially costing taxpayers millions of Emalangeni due to fuel theft at the Central Transport Administration (CTA).

Intrigued and concerned by murmurs of civil servants selling government fuel to the public, I decided to delve deeper. My journey took me to the Matsapha depot of the CTA, where I had heard the rumour that the proceeds from this illicit trade were lining the pockets of individuals rather than being funnelled into the Consolidated Fund. This clandestine enterprise, I was told, had been thriving unnoticed for quite some time. Noticing a curious trend of motorists sidestepping official fuel pumps, I felt compelled to uncover the truth, and what I found was startling.

At the CTA depot, I was first told that drivers were brazenly filling 25-litre containers with government fuel. My analysis revealed the intricate workings of what seemed to be a well-organised syndicate. The fuel was being sold at a mere fraction of the official market price. On Wednesday, I embarked on my operation. As a supposed customer, I managed to buy 25 litres of fuel for just E250—a staggering discount from the approximately E500 standard retail price. As I ‘shopped’ for this illicit fuel, sporadic glimpses of the syndicate’s operation lay in plain view. Members of the public were seamlessly purchasing fuel right at the facility. The implications of this discovery are profound: It signifies a black-market operation that jeopardises government’s efforts to manage the nation’s dwindling fuel supplies and denies essential revenue during a trying economic period. As a consequence, crucial services like police and ambulance operations often falter, citing fuel shortages as the reason for unmet urgent public needs.

Rationed supply

During my visit, government vehicles lined up for hours, awaiting their turn at what was claimed to be a rationed supply, prioritising essential services. Yet, I negotiated a deal that allowed my 25-litre container to jump the queue, while official vehicles were turned away with claims of insufficient supply. An employee, oblivious to my identity as a reporter, explained the dire supply situation, confirming that only Matsapha station had any fuel. “There is a general shortage of fuel in government; hence the long lines of vehicles outside, waiting their turn to fuel up,” they said.

It took a careful 15 minutes of negotiating to strike a deal. I was instructed to meet intermediaries outside, hand over my container along with the payment, and, 15 minutes later, my container was returned, full. During these negotiations, I discreetly observed at least three other containers being filled unlawfully. One truck driver candidly admitted to using the fuel for personal errands over the upcoming weekend.The operation appears to be meticulously plotted. The officer divulged that trucks, loaded at the depot each morning, clandestinely off-loaded fuel to private customers, only to return empty and repeat the cycle—a systemic exploit of government resources, extending for months.

Syndicate

This shadowy syndicate, managed by government employees, allegedly provides fuel to the Matsapha industrial hub and outlying areas. Its customer base varies from tractor operators and minibus drivers to members of the general public, unrestricted in terms of purchase limits, choosing between diesel and petrol as needed. These events unfold against a backdrop of critically depleted government fuel reserves, sparking serious concerns about mismanagement of national resources. Eyewitnesses and insiders assert that these illegal dealings have been continuing for months, exploiting shortages for personal gain. Amid national fuel shortages disrupting essential services and transport, public outrage has always been mounting, demanding accountability from those charged with safeguarding public assets.

According to concerned citizens, this saga of illicit fuel sales throws into sharp relief the need for stringent enforcement of regulations within government operations and addresses a wider issue of corruption within public institutions.Analysts warn that overlooking such malpractices could undermine public confidence in the public administration of the ongoing fuel crisis.

Investigation

As my investigation progresses, there is a public clamour for decisive action—to not only bring the culprits to justice, but also instal robust oversight to thwart future scandals of this nature. Although the Matsapha revelations point to localised corruption, it is indicative of a broader, systemic problem afflicting CTA. Recent probes unveiled over E10 million worth of fuel siphoned via fraudulent orders and inflated invoices. Only recently, the Hhohho Fraud and Commercial Crimes Unit arrested four civil servants, including three assistant accountants and a male store man, alleging their involvement in duplicating fuel order deliveries.

The scheme was unfurled when a routine check flagged discrepancies in bookkeeping. CTA is no stranger to corruption allegations. Despite E3 million allocated back in 2007 to combat such corruption, mismanagement persists. Recent developments, such as a mysteriously vanished Toyota Quantum engine from CTA premises, exacerbate accountability concerns.

Corruption

As my investigation continues, there are emphatic calls for reform and tighter controls at CTA facilities.There is a forewarning that unchecked corruption could further dent public trust and intensify financial strain amid economic adversities. It must be said that the Matsapha incident, alongside the E10 million fuel theft, highlights an urgent need for systemic changes within CTA and across public institutions to avert the recurrence of such malfeasance.

The auditor general revealed how a vehicle, registered GSD 104 TI, was fuelled with 608 litres of diesel on October 29, 2015, at a charge rate of E11.30 per litre.
This translated to an amount of E6 870. 40. On the following day, the vehicle was back again. This time, it was to fill up 743 litres of diesel at the same charge rate. This translated to E8 395.90.

Post your comment

Your name:

Your e-mail address:

Add your comments:

Please enter the code you see in the image:

Image:

Code: