Clean-up operations continue following attempted theft of Transnet petrol
Transnet has managed to repair a pipeline in Tshwane which was damaged during an attempt to steal petrol by an unknown number of suspects on Tuesday night.
The pipeline was repaired on Wednesday afternoon.
The attempted theft led to the spillage of thousands of litres of petrol on Wednesday morning and forced authorities to close the busy Simon Vermooten and Nellmapius roads.
Transnet’s Sarep Knoetze says the pipeline has been repaired and clean-up will continue into the afternoon.
“We have managed to contain the free petrol that came out of the block valve chamber and at the moment clean-up operations are continuing. The actual asset has been repaired and the power plant will be back in operation within the hour this afternoon.
“The emergency services were on site. They have closed off the road to protect motorists and passer-by from the petrol fumes and all-clear has now been given. The fumes have subsided and now it is just the clean that will continue.”
Knoetze says police are investigating the incident.
“We have implemented various safety measures and we are also implementing some safety measures along the pipeline and along all our assets. We are also working with all the law enforcement agencies, the Hawks specifically, South African Police Service and intelligence services to try and find who is behind the theft.
Tshwane emergency services earlier reported that 50 000 litres of petrol was spilled.