Tshwane closes illegal LP Gas depot in Laezonia
Tshwane Emergency Services Department has shut down an illegal liquified petroleum gas (LPG) depot in Laezonia, south east of Tshwane.
This was done during a site inspection by the city's fire safety officers last week.
Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson, Charles Mabaso, says the inspection was a follow-up on an inspection that was conducted in December 2023 following a complaint from concerned members of the public.
"During the December 2023 site inspection, the owner of the facility was issued a contravention notice to cease operations and close the facility, where two 9 000-litre LPG storage tanks were erected without the necessary permits.
However, on 19 February 2024, fire safety officers found employees on the site loading LPG cylinders on to an unroadworthy bakkie and trailer.
Upon further investigation, it was determined that the illegal installation was filling assorted sizes of LPG cylinders, ranging from 9 kg to 19 kg and 48 kg," says Mabaso.
Mabaso says additional support from the Tshwane Metro Police Department was requested and, upon arrival, the team confiscated equipment used to fill and scale LPG cylinders.
The owner was also issued with a R15 000 contravention fine on three offences.
"During the period, the owner arranged a certified truck to remove 43 LPG cylinders (25 x 48 kg, 10 x 19 kg and 8 x 9 kg cylinders) from the site to a site in Midrand which the owner alleges is certified.
“City officials will engage Johannesburg Fire Safety to monitor the compliance of this company," he adds.
Mabaso says the owner of the facility promised to appoint a service provide to decant and remove the two illegally erected tanks.
"The department will randomly monitor the site to ensure that operations are never resumed.
“The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department is monitoring the plots in Laezonia because an illegal diesel depot was also discovered and closed in the area in 2023.
“The department further calls on residents to desist from establishing illegal businesses that process, handle, store and distribute hazardous substances without the necessary permits from the City of Tshwane and relevant government departments," says Mabaso.
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