The second accused in a fuel theft and infrastructure tampering case is expected to join his co-accused in custody following court proceedings held in Mpumalanga this week.

According to a media statement issued by the Directorate for Priority Crime Investigation (Hawks), Harold Mabunda, the driver, appeared before the Evander Magistrate’s Court on Wednesday, 21 January 2026. Mabunda is linked to a case involving tampering with essential infrastructure, theft and possession of stolen fuel.

His co-accused, Bongani Mzizi, who was part of the tanker crew, was convicted and sentenced to seven years’ imprisonment in February 2023 after pleading guilty to the charges.

The incident dates back to when Transnet detected a drop in pipeline pressure in Leslie. Bidvest Security was dispatched to investigate and noticed a tanker truck leaving the area. Security officers attempted to stop the vehicle, but the driver ignored their warnings and fled the scene.

A chase followed, with police in Springs alerted to assist. The tanker truck was eventually cornered in Springs, where both the driver and crew attempted to evade arrest. They were apprehended a short distance from the vehicle by police and security officials.

Investigations revealed that the tanker was loaded with 40,000 litres of fuel valued at approximately R1,063,200. Fuel samples taken from the crime scene were confirmed to match those found inside the tanker.

Cases of possession of stolen fuel were registered in Springs, while charges of tampering with essential infrastructure and theft were registered in Leslie. The investigations were handled jointly by the Hawks’ Serious Organised Crime Investigation units based in Germiston and Middelburg. The Director of Public Prosecutions later recommended that all investigations be consolidated in Mpumalanga.

Mabunda has maintained his innocence and pleaded not guilty to all charges. The matter was postponed to 28 January 2026 for sentencing proceedings.

The Provincial Head of the Hawks in Mpumalanga, Major General Nico Gerber, welcomed the progress in the case, praising cooperation between police and security stakeholders in combating crimes targeting critical infrastructure.