A tanker carrying 40 000 litres of ethanol, declared for export to Zimbabwe and worth an estimated R11 million, has been intercepted at a smallholding near Klipspruit, outside Bronkhorstspruit.
SARS officials and police raided the property and discovered workers decanting ethanol into 1 000-litre flow-bins and loading them onto waiting trucks. Several other trucks fitted with flow-bins and drums containing ethanol and diesel were also seized during the operation.
According to SARS spokesperson Siphithi Sibeko, suspects fled the scene as enforcement teams moved in.
“Upon investigation, our team found more than 92 000 litres of ethanol. This ethanol is used to manufacture illicit liquor. Our team also found more than 30 000 litres of paraffin with people trying to process it and removing what we call an A1 marker. This led to more than three different areas in the vicinity being investigated. Our team found trucks. On approaching the area, the drivers immediately dashed for their lives. SARS condemns this in the strongest possible terms and promises that it will continue to deal with the illicit economy,” Sibeko said.
Read | Adulterated Diesel Warning: Cheap Fuel Now, Expensive Repairs Later
Officials further uncovered what appeared to be a used-oil processing facility, pointing to a broader fuel adulteration operation. Ethanol was allegedly being channelled into illegal alcohol production, while paraffin and diesel were being tampered with to disguise their origins and evade tax duties.
The bust highlights the massive losses to the fiscus caused by illicit fuel and alcohol operations. It is estimated that billions of rands are lost annually to the illegal trade through diesel and paraffin adulteration as well as the manufacture of counterfeit alcohol.
The latest SA Trucking News straight to your inbox!
Do you have more on this story? Click to WhatsApp us. Anonymity guaranteed.
