Diesel vehicle owners in South Africa are facing concerns beyond soaring fuel prices, as reports indicate the discovery of tainted diesel fuel at numerous outlets nationwide. The Department of Mineral Resources and Energy (DMRE) disclosed findings of contaminated diesel at 70 fuel stations between April and December 2023.
According to News24, the DMRE issued non-compliance notices to the implicated outlets where diesel samples were allegedly contaminated with illuminating paraffin, an illegal act.
In a statement to IOL, the department confirmed the discovery through its annual random sampling and testing of fuel, emphasizing that 70 cases of diesel adulteration were identified across all provinces. The samples were collected from 1000 service stations nationwide.
This practice, identified as a form of tax evasion, involves contaminating diesel with illuminating paraffin, which is not subject to the General Fuel Levy or Road Accident Fund Levy. Diesel adulterated in this manner possesses lower lubricating properties, leading to accelerated wear and tear within vehicle engines.
Tseliso Maqubela, Deputy Director General of the DMRE, advised consumers to stick to “tried and trusted” fuel outlets to avoid contaminated diesel. He emphasized, “You don’t find the non-compliance samples from your major dealers that are linked to major oil companies, but the ones that are run by non-refining wholesalers and unfamiliar brands.”
Layton Beard, spokesperson for the Automobile Association, expressed consumer concern, urging individuals to buy from trusted retailers. While acknowledging the uncertainty surrounding the 6,500 fuel stations in South Africa, he highlighted the safety of major companies and retailers with established brand names.
Limpopo recorded the highest number of stations with contaminated diesel at 15, followed by KwaZulu-Natal and North West with 13 cases each. Mpumalanga had nine cases, the Northern Cape six, Gauteng five, the Western Cape and Free State four each, and the Eastern Cape one case.
Mpho Dipela, director of Royal Energy, cautioned consumers against purchasing diesel at prices significantly deviating from the competition. Dipela raised concerns about the doubling of annual sales of illuminating paraffin in South Africa between 2020 and 2023, suggesting increased levels of oil adulteration. In an opinion piece published by Oil Review Africa in 2023, Dipela emphasized the critical need to address the escalating problem immediately.