Gauteng govt considers commission of inquiry into Boksburg tanker blast

Gauteng govt considers commission of inquiry into Boksburg tanker blast

Premier Panyaza Lesufi says the Gauteng government is prepared to launch a commission of inquiry into the deadly Boksburg tanker crash.

Panyaza Lesufi
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The tanker, which had been carrying liquid petroleum gas (LPG), exploded after it got trapped under a low-lying bridge.

On Thursday, the death toll stood at 27, with dozens of others still in hospital.

“The constitution of the country empowers me as the premier of the province to appoint a commission of inquiry on this matter. I am ready to do so if I sense that there is a delay one way or another because I owe it to these families to give them answers."

Lesufi says they will allow the police and other relevant authorities to conduct their investigations, but he warned that he will not tolerate any delays as families of the deceased and injured victims seek answers.

“I can’t allow something that will drag, so I am considering that aspect, and the legal teams are working on it so that we can get a preliminary report that we can share with families. But we will give the police, NPA, and the municipality a chance to do their work. Where we sense there might be an unreasonable delay, we are of the view that we have to intervene as the provincial government.”

ALSO READ: Boksburg tanker blast death toll climb to 27

The premier confirmed that the driver and his employer continue to fully cooperate with the authorities.

The company has also offered to assist bereaved families.

"The good thing is that the said individual, the driver, is cooperating fully and the company has made presentations to me personally. They want to play a certain role and I said let's get the investigation going first and let the fully cooperate. But they are willing to help families with burials and give police the relevant information. So, we are not dealing with people that are difficult."

At the same time, police confirmed the 32-year-old suspect was released on warning pending further investigation.

Lesufi says he is confident that authorities will soon be able to re-enroll the case.

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