Mantashe warns of random fuel tests to crack down on diesel-paraffin adulteration

VAAL TRIANGLE - The Minister of Mineral Resources, Gwede Mantashe, has warned petrol stations that random fuel tests will continue to catch those who adulterate fuel, especially diesel mixed with paraffin. The illegal practice, driven by paraffin's lower, untaxed price, costs the state about R3.6-billion rand per year. The department, in collaboration with the South African Revenue Service, uses chemical markers to identify those tampered with. Minister Mantashe says offenders can be punished, but get a chance to present their case. The trade in adulterated fuel damages vehicle engines, hurts revenue, and is linked to criminal gangs that remove paraffin markers before mixing it with diesel.