The petrol thief who drove away without paying.
Image: Supplied
A viral video circulating on social media has sparked fresh concern over fuel theft in Cape Town, after a motorist allegedly drove off without paying for petrol worth hundreds of rand, raising questions about whether such incidents could become more common as fuel prices continue to climb.
The clip, widely shared across messaging platforms this week, shows a black Ford Fiesta pulling up to a petrol pump at a service station in Gatesville. The driver remains seated inside the vehicle while an attendant fills the tank.
Moments later, as the attendant removes the nozzle and walks towards the driver’s window, the car’s lights switched on. Within seconds, the vehicle speeds off, leaving the attendant scrambling behind. Reports suggest the attendant attempted to stop the driver and, in the chaos, smashed the vehicle’s rear window in a desperate bid to prevent the escape.
The vehicle, identified as a black Ford Fiesta with registration CA 387388, has also allegedly been linked to another fuel theft incident on 29 April in Goodwood. In that case, the driver reportedly filled up with R500 worth of petrol before fleeing without settling the bill. Following that incident, the petrol station issued a public appeal calling on the driver to come forward and pay the outstanding amount.
Police have confirmed that a case has now been opened.
SAPS spokesperson Captain FC van Wyk said a theft case is under investigation at Manenberg SAPS after an incident on Sunday afternoon in which a motorist filled up with petrol valued at R800 and drove off without paying.
“Investigations continue and no arrests have been made at this stage,” he said.
While so-called “drive-offs” are not new, the timing of this incident has reignited debate around the growing financial strain on motorists, and whether desperation could lead to an increase in such crimes.
South Africans are now facing a steep fuel price hike, with petrol increasing by just over R3 per litre this month, while diesel has surged by around R6 per litre. The latest adjustment is being driven by a mix of global oil price volatility, a weaker rand, and rising taxes and levies, placing additional pressure on already strained household budgets.
For many motorists, particularly those who rely on private transport for work, the rising cost of fuel is becoming increasingly unsustainable. In communities where public transport options are limited or unreliable, residents often have little choice but to absorb the higher costs.
A petrol attendant told Weekend Argus that while this is not a new trend they fear what could be in store pending the fuel hike.
"What many people don't know is that the money gets deducted from us. We have to pay it and we already don't earn that much. It's taking food from our kids' mouths, our families' mouths.
"With the petrol hike we are very much aware that there will be chance takers, those who will fill up but not have enough, those who will try to come with stories but we are prepared.
"However it's still sad because we have to take out of our own pockets and only get reimbursed if the driver is caught and has to pay back, but we also have to take time to go to the police station to open a case and wait."
Experts caution that while economic pressure can contribute to opportunistic crime, it does not justify it. Instead, they stress the need for stronger preventative measures at fuel stations, including improved surveillance systems, clearer payment protocols, and increased public awareness.
Some stations have already implemented pre-payment systems or require customers to leave identification or bank cards before filling up, measures aimed at reducing theft but which can also slow down service.