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- The Durban South community came out en masse to protest the Engen refinery.
- It follows an explosion that injured several people, some of whom were treated for severe burns.
- The community claims that it has historical problems with the refinery, having problems with contamination in the area.
One of the main organizers of a protest against the Engen refinery in Durban South says the fuel conglomerate should prepare “for war” if it does not solve the problems and do justice after an explosion that injured several people.
“If we don’t solve it on Friday, then they must prepare for war,” Desmond D’Sa, a community leader and environmentalist, said Wednesday.
He was speaking to News24 following the protest action of some 200 community members who marched towards the Engen refinery, where an explosion injured several people last week.
“We don’t want to be doing these things. We don’t want to have to protest, but what other option do we have?”
READ ALSO | SEE | Mass explosion at the Engen refinery in Durban
D’Sa and other community members say an explosion last Friday, which injured several people, was the last straw.
He said that, for years, they had complained about the effects of the refinery on the community.
“I’m happy with the participation we had today from the community. It was the middle of the week and people were still going out.
“We have had historical problems and now one so important with these people. We want answers and we will not stop until there is justice.”
He said the community will continue the peaceful protest at the refinery on Friday.
“We will not stop. We will refuse this time.”
Lawsuits
In its memorandum of lawsuits, the community accuses Engen of polluting the local environment. They say there have been several explosions in the area since the late 1990s.
Also attending the protest was activist and sociology expert Ashwin Desai, who told News24 that Engen had to account for the explosion.
“This plant is a time bomb. They don’t want to invest the resources. They claim they don’t have the money. At the same time, they are putting the lives of tens of thousands of people at risk.”
News24 has contacted Engen for comments, which will be added once received.
