Diesel theft occurrences have become a cause for concern and leaders in KwaZulu-Natal have uncovered an unscrupulous gang operating which involves city workers. Six armed men held up construction workers in a rural area of Bergville in KwaZulu-Natal, making off with 300-liters of diesel from trucks yesterday, 12 May 2025. This follows another incident in Durban where an eThekwini Municipality truck, that transports water to communities, was found offloading Diesel at a private residence at eKukhanyeni, near Verulam last week. Two municipality workers have since been arrested for diesel theft totalling the same quantity of 300-litres.
Diesel theft notorious construction mafia
KwaZulu-Natal Police Commissioner, Lieutenant General Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi has warned criminal elements that intense investigations are underway to catch members of the notorious “construction mafia gang” at Bergville, which falls under the Okhahlamba Local Municipality. “Our specialized team of law enforcement officers are working tirelessly to apprehend the criminals very soon”. He Lieutenant General Mkhwanazi added that police investigations will be intensifying throughout the province of KwaZulu-Natal to curb such diesel theft.
General, Nhlanhla Mkhwanazi
Brazen gangs disrupt KZN
“A brazen gang of criminals interrupted a major project in which the department has invested R177-million for the rehabilitation of the main road, the P304,” said KwaZulu-Natal Transport and Human Settlements MEC, Siboniso Duma. “This road serves as a major link connecting Bergville to Maloti-Drakensburg Park/Royal Natal Park through the R74. The road plays a major role in terms of stimulating rural economies for communities living in extreme poverty.” The recent devastating floods destroyed this road network, resulting in hundreds of communities being isolated and vulnerable. The Department wants to ensure that the P304 remains in a safe and usable condition, contributing towards the stimulation of all sectors of the economy such as agriculture and tourism.
Outraged community slams criminals
“The entire Bergville community stood in unity against the criminals who are trying to interrupt the project,” said Duma. “We salute Inkosi Njabulo Miya who is the Izinduna, of the eMazizini Traditional Council, and the whole community for their public display of anger and opposition against these criminals who are trying to derail the project.” An angry Duma said there should be “no place for construction mafia gangs” in villages, townships, suburbs or anywhere in KZN.
Stolen diesel offloaded locally
At eKukhanyeni, near Verulam, a municipal water truck was found offloading diesel at a private residence, while another water truck was parked next to the gate of that property. “Investigators worked diligently on reports that several truck drivers were spotted in the area offloading diesel,” said Head of the City Integrity and Investigations Unit, Jimmy Ngcobo. “These suspects were caught with 12 containers, that were each filled to capacity with 25-litres of offloaded diesel. This amounts to 300-litres of stolen municipal diesel,” explained Ngcobo. Both trucks were reportedly carrying “much-needed water” intended for delivery to nearby communities. Two officials have been arrested and a case of theft was opened at Inanda Police Station.
