APA-Pretoria (South Africa) Some 70 fuel stations face closure and prosecution after they were caught selling fake diesel in South Africa, the Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy revealed on Monday.
The ministry said the 70 were identified between April and December 2023 as selling diesel mixed with illuminating paraffin.
The compromised diesel was allegedly mixed with the illuminated paraffin, “indicating a trend of profiteering by cutting corners as petroleum prices rise, and posing tax evasion implications,” according to the ministry.
Due to this, the ministry said it had issued non-compliance notices and reports of the offending petrol stations to the South African Revenue Service for tax evasion and prosecution.
The affected petrol stations had distributed the adulterated fuel across the country, raising concerns about the potential impact on vehicles and emphasising the dangers of mixing fuels, the ministry added.
Mineral Resources and Energy Minister Gwede Mantashe has previously warned against the illegal practice, stating that service stations found with adulterated diesel would face closure and prosecution.
NM/jn/APA