10 Oct Diesel theft at work: Should you appoint an undercover investigator?

Unexplained fuel losses can leave a business asking a difficult question: is there an operational problem, or is someone deliberately stealing?

In June 2026, EWN reported that a KwaZulu-Natal Transport Department employee had been arrested in connection with an alleged diesel theft syndicate. Authorities alleged that more than R300,000 worth of diesel was being stolen each month in the Empangeni area alone. The allegations illustrate why persistent fuel discrepancies deserve investigation.

Should your business use an undercover operative?

An undercover operative may be appropriate when recurring losses suggest organised internal theft, but records and routine checks cannot explain how it happens or who is involved.

Start by checking the basics. Leaking tanks, inaccurate meters, poor recordkeeping and unauthorised vehicle use can all create discrepancies. An investigation should establish whether the losses are consistent with theft before deciding how to proceed.

Warning signs that warrant closer examination include:

• Fuel consumption that does not match vehicle mileage or operating hours.
• Repeated discrepancies associated with particular shifts or delivery periods.
• Fuel transactions without reliable supporting records.
• Continued losses despite tighter controls.

These patterns justify enquiries; they do not establish anyone’s guilt.

What can an undercover investigation establish?

A suitably planned undercover deployment can help investigators understand what happens during everyday operations, including whether procedures are deliberately bypassed and whether several people are working together.

Its value lies in placing workplace observations alongside fuel records, access information and other evidence. Observations need corroboration before conclusions are drawn.

Undercover deployment should have a defined purpose, appropriate oversight and clear reporting arrangements.

When is another approach more suitable?

If discrepancies can be traced through fuel transactions, delivery records or vehicle data, a targeted records investigation may provide the answers more directly. An undercover operative is one investigative option, rather than an automatic first step.

Investigate before losses become routine

Repeatedly writing off unexplained fuel losses can allow the underlying problem to continue.

SSC Legacy can assess suspected workplace fuel theft and recommend an investigation suited to the available evidence, including undercover operatives where appropriate.

Contact SSC Legacy to discuss unexplained fuel losses confidentially.