Pay for fuel first, motorists urged

Johannesburg - Service stations have begun asking motorists to pay for fuel before it is dispensed - because of the increasing number of cases where motorists drive off without paying, Beeld reported on Saturday.

The trend is happening countrywide, it reported.

"There is definitely an increase in incidents where people drive off without paying," Engen spokesperson Gavin Smith was quoted as saying.

He said these incidents had increased since the fuel price had surpassed R10 a litre, and even more so in the past six months.

"We attribute this to the economy and the high fuel price," said Smith.

Beeld carried a picture of a notice displayed at an Engen service station in Auckland Park which read: "We regret that we have had to instruct our staff to ask for payment before filling up during high-risk periods."

High risk periods were late-night and early-morning business.