THE NATIONAL Energy Regulator Of South Africa (Nersa) has raised its concerns about the tampering with the Transnet pipeline which led to a massive fire which left three people dead in Clairwood.
The cause of the October 31 fire, according to Transnet, was attempted fuel theft from a pipeline.
"The National Energy Regulator of South Africa has reiterated its concern regarding the persisting tampering with the Transnet pipeline to steal petrol and diesel," it said in a statement.
Muzi Mkhize, regulator member primarily responsible for Petroleum Pipelines Regulation, praised emergency personnel for their speedy response to deal with the fire.
“We commend the eThekwini Disaster Management Department, the South African Police Service and the eThekwini Fire Department for their sterling and speedy response to quell the fire. We also commend the Transnet Pipelines National Operations Centre for immediately activating its emergency response plan,” he said.
Mkhize, who visited the area on November 1, added that it was of critical importance that communities work together with law enforcement to prevent crucial infrastructure from being tampered with.
“Authorities and structures concerned need to earnestly prevent the destruction of public and valuable infrastructure as this results in dire consequences for the country that is trying to recover from the economic slump exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic,” he said.
Transnet Pipelines spokesperson Saret Knoetze said staff had to work around the clock after the fire to avert an inland fuel supply challenge.
“Transnet Pipelines personnel and other emergency response teams worked tirelessly until the early hours of 2 November 2021 to bring the pipeline back into operation,” she said.
Knoetze added that after the temporary shutting down of the pipeline, adjustments were made to operations.
“The Transnet Pipelines master control centre, with close cooperation from all clients, including the inland refinery, worked on redirecting product deliveries inland and meeting orders placed,” she said.
THE MERCURY