DURBAN - TRANSNET has various security measures in place to stop attempts to steal fuel and these have had good results.
This was revealed by Transnet Pipelines chief executive, Michelle Phillips, after three people died in a massive explosion while allegedly trying to steal fuel from the Transnet pipeline, on Horseshoe Road in Jacobs on Sunday.
“The interventions implemented thus far have ensured a reduction in the number of incidents and Transnet Pipelines has not experienced an incident on the 24” Multi-Product Pipeline since July 2021,” Phillips said.
She added that to date, 159 arrests have been made, 254 criminal cases opened, and 57 fuel tankers and 54 vehicles impounded.
“We continue to work with law enforcement agencies to stop this criminal activity and keep the pipelines and surrounding communities safe.
“Due to the inherent dangers of tampering with high pressure petroleum pipelines, these incidents have resulted in fire and other asset damage, as well as environmental incidents, with high remediation costs.”
Phillips said that after the latest incident, the Transnet Pipelines National Operations Centre immediately shut down the pipeline and activated its emergency response plan.
“The preliminary assessment indicates a botched fuel theft incident on the pipeline, and investigations are ongoing. Remediation work and business continuity management processes have been activated.”
She said there had been an unprecedented spate of fuel theft incidents on the pipelines and the associated infrastructure during the past two years. “As the pipelines traverse many rural, semi-rural and urban areas, we continue to appeal to any persons living near the pipelines or driving past, especially at night, to report any suspicious activities, eg bakkies, fuel tankers in the area of the block valve chambers or near our pipeline markers.”
eThekwini Head of Emergency Services Enoch Mchunu said the number of deaths on Sunday had risen to three.
By the afternoon, Mchunu said, they were still at the scene trying to extinguish the fire.
In the early hours, there was one reported death, the number increased to two a few hours later. By midday, there were three bodies found.
eThekwini Fire Department spokesperson Thabile Zikhali said they were discovering more bodies as the investigation was ongoing.
“This whole incident happened outside. We suspect that the deceased were the ones trying to steal fuel from the Transnet pipeline.
“People were trying to steal the fuel from the pipes and loading it to the truck. We suspect that something may have gone wrong while they were still busy. Then there was an explosion which led to a massive fire.”
Zikhali said a few litres of fuel had gone into a nearby watercourse. “There are teams protecting the area, trying to stop the fuel from getting into the harbour.”
She added that Transnet engineers, the police, and emergency services were also on the scene. “The Transnet engineer has advised that we evacuate the area to a safe distance of 500 metres from where we are. This is done by the fire department and metro police.”
The municipality has advised residents to consider remaining indoors if smoke is heavy, especially if they suffer from a respiratory illness, such as asthma, or conditions that lead to increased risk from smoke exposure.
Daily News