Instances of watered-down diesel increasing in SA
Instances of watered-down diesel are increasing in South Africa. Minister Mantasha warns more stringent tests will catch the culprits out.
Numerous reports broke late in 2023 of fuel stations pedalling watered-down diesel to the public. This sort of practice is only possible due to the (relatively) unregulated prices of diesel and paraffin, which leaves the door open for fuel manipulation by unscrupulous station owners.
However, filling up with watered-down diesel can have untold repercussions for your vehicle’s internals. Even the Democratic Alliance (DA) weighed-in on the debacle, asking government to name and shame the fuel stations caught with watered-down diesel.
WATERED-DOWN DIESEL
Now, the Mineral Resources and Energy ministry has warned that more stringent testing will be carried out at filling stations following recent findings. Minister Gwede Mantashe said as much during a recent parliamentary Q&A, reports Business Tech.
Rather than solve the issue, it’s as if last year’s reports have almost emboldened station owners to sell watered-down diesel. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) noted that the trend appears to be growing. A challenge not only in South Africa but globally, too.
CASES ARE INCREASING
In 2023, the DMRE uncovered at least 70 filling stations across the country selling watered-down diesel. Now, Mantashe notes: “The number of cases is increasing as unscrupulous businesspeople seek to benefit from the tax differential between paraffin and diesel. Fuel stations can set whatever prices they like for watered-down diesel to undercut the competition and draw in customers,” Mantashe said.
Therefore, the DMRE will extend the scope of its fuel testing in 2024. This time to more service stations, and with stricter tests, to establish the full extent of any potential fuel-quality crisis in Mzansi. It’s looking at all nine provinces, but targeting high-risk areas like Limpopo, North West, and Kwa-Zulu Natal were the worst examples of watered-down diesel have been found.
“The DMRE is increasing its collaboration with the South African Revenue Services (SARS) and is exploring cooperation with the National Consumer Commission (NCC) to further punish offenders and protect consumers affected by watered-down diesel,” concluded Mantashe.
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