Four people have been caught stealing diesel from a parked truck in Parow.

The driver was asleep as the suspects siphoned an estimated 125 litres of fuel before traffic officers came across them.

Officers confiscated a large number of drums and pipes used to extract the diesel. A Toyota Quantum, used by the suspects was also impounded. The vehicle’s number plates had been removed.

The City of Cape Town Mayco member for Safety and Security Alderman JP Smith says this incident was incredibly opportunistic and dangerous. He adds that if the suspects had gotten away, travelling with large amounts of fuel in makeshift containers would have been very risky.