Theft at fuel stations in Mokopane

Over the past few weeks there has been an increase in vehicles that drive in for fuel, ask for the amount to be put in and then drive away without paying. The fuel stations then makes a case at the Police Station and it is usually noted that false number plates have been fitted and criminals cannot be traced.
On Friday 17 October the Mokopane SAPS Station Commander, Col. Lucas Mogwaneng and the CPF chairman Andy Goetsch invited managers from all the various local fuel stations to a meeting to discuss this problem. They advised the managers that for a start, at night all customers wanting fuel will have to pay first before filling up. 
If paying via credit card the card is first to be given and the number plates will be verified with the license disk on the vehicle windscreen. In some cases the driver might be asked to show his driver’s license to make a positive identification.
Please take note also that when a customer purchase fuel with a credit card, the station will not be able to fill large or many containers. The reason for this is that when a credit-, fleet- or petrol card is stolen that the criminal knows that as soon as the owner takes note that his card is missing, the card will be stopped. Therefore they try to steal as much fuel as possible at once.
If containers are required to be filed with a credit card please arrange with the
management beforehand, within normal business hours.