Overview
- The Hawks arrested 11 suspects at a Meyerton fuel plant in Gauteng in a joint operation with specialist units, traffic police air support, and a private security tactical team.
- Officers acted on a tip, put the site under surveillance, saw two tankers enter the premises, and moved in before diesel could be moved off the property.
- Two on-site security guards are among those detained, and investigators say early findings suggest collusion between guards and the rest of the group, which includes South African citizens and foreign nationals.
- Preliminary checks found the plant operator was under administration, a condition that can thin oversight and make it easier for insiders or thieves to exploit gaps in control.
- The suspects are expected in court as the investigation continues, with one report noting a discrepancy that mentions nine suspects even as authorities state the total arrests stand at 11.