With petrol prices going up across South Africa today, many people are feeling the pinch in their pockets. But one driver in the Western Cape decided to take a very risky shortcut. Police are now hunting for a man who allegedly filled his car with R800 worth of petrol and sped off without paying a single cent.
The incident happened on Sunday afternoon at a petrol station in Gatesville, Athlone. It has since gone viral on social media, with a video showing the moment the driver made his daring, but illegal, escape.
The Great Escape
The video, which has been shared thousands of times, shows a black Ford Fiesta pulling up to the petrol pump. A petrol attendant is seen filling the tank as usual. Everything looks normal until the tank is full.
As the attendant finishes and walks towards the driver’s side to collect the payment, the driver suddenly hits the gas. The car takes off at high speed, leaving the shocked worker standing in a cloud of exhaust fumes.
But the attendant didn’t just stand there. According to reports online, he was so angry that he picked up a stone and threw it at the fleeing car. The stone reportedly smashed one of the car’s windows. Now, the driver doesn't just have the police on his tail—he also has a broken window to fix.
Not His First Time?
In a shocking twist, it seems this might not be the driver's first time "filling and fleeing." Another petrol station, the Engen Simon’s Auto Centre in Goodwood, has also come forward with a similar story.
Last week, they posted on Facebook about a black Ford Fiesta that did the exact same thing at their station just after midnight. In that case, the driver stole over R500 worth of petrol.
"As the attendant walked away to get the card machine, he drove off," the station wrote. They warned the driver to come back and pay or face criminal charges. It now looks like the same "petrol thief" is targeting different stations across the Cape.
Police Are on the Case
The South African Police Service (SAPS) has confirmed that they are taking the matter very seriously. A case of theft has been opened at the Manenberg police station.
Police spokesperson Captain F.C. Van Wyk said: "A theft case was opened following an incident on Sunday afternoon where a motorist filled his tank with petrol worth R800 and then drove away without paying. The investigation is ongoing, but no arrests have been made yet."
Engen is also looking into the matter. Their spokesperson, Gavin Smith, said they are working with the police to find out exactly what happened. "We take incidents like this very seriously," he added.
Why Is This Happening?
While stealing is never okay, many people believe that the rising cost of fuel is pushing some drivers to do desperate things. Petrol prices in South Africa have hit record highs, making it very difficult for everyday people to afford to drive to work or take their children to school.
However, petrol station owners say these "drive-offs" are hurting their businesses. Petrol attendants, who often earn a small wage, are sometimes forced to pay for the stolen fuel out of their own pockets. This means that when a driver steals petrol, they are not just stealing from a big company—they are stealing from a hard-working person who is just trying to make a living.
How to Stay Safe
Petrol stations are now being told to be more careful. Some stations are asking drivers to pay before they fill up, especially late at night. Others are installing better cameras that can clearly see the car's number plate.
If you see someone driving off without paying, the police say you should try to remember the car's make, model, and colour. Most importantly, try to get the number plate, but never try to stop the car yourself as it can be very dangerous.
As for the driver of the black Ford Fiesta, his face and his car are now all over the internet. It is only a matter of time before the police catch up with him.
