Fuels Industry Association denies members are selling diesel-paraffin mix amid Sars crackdown

702's John Perlman speaks to Avhapfani Tshifularo, Chief Executive at the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa.

As part of a crackdown on diluted fuels, a joint intelligence team raided 23 targets across Gauteng, Mpumalanga, and KwaZulu-Natal. 

In a recent statement, Sars said fuel adulteration is costing the fiscus approximately R3.6 billion per year.

The revenue service says in some cases, diesel analysed by investigators had up to 68% paraffin content.

Tshifularo says he is confident that none of the members of the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa are involved.

"If you recall some 18-months ago the then Minister of Minerals and Energy mentioned in Parliament that the Department's inspectors had gone out to draw some samples... At that point in time they estimated that it was roughly 70 service stations... where they picked up that the diesel there contained paraffin. But they made it absolutely clear that none of our members are involved in those kinds of practices."

- Avhapfani Tshifularo, Chief Executive at the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa

When asked if they are gathering intelligence about the extent to which diesel vehicles are running into problems that are fuel-related, this is what Tshifularo said:

"We have been talking a lot to other stakeholders. In the agricultural space they have confirmed that there are members reporting failure to their equipment. And also... the automotive sector, when they pick up issues, they do report it to us... So, it's widespread."

- Avhapfani Tshifularo, Chief Executive at the Fuels Industry Association of South Africa

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