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It is unclear when oil began to flow from a Transnet pipeline in the Bellair area, south of Durban, but residents reported smelling oil in the area last week.
On Tuesday a team from Transnet, environmentalists from the provincial department and activists visited the area to assess the spill.
MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Nomusa Dube-Ncube said Transnet would have 14 days to Submit a report on how crude oil was spilled into the river.
Dube-Ncube, who was expected to revisit the scene on Saturday, said an instruction was given arRemove all oil contaminated garbage in the mangrove area as it would become a secondary source of pollution.
“Human settlements, water and sanitation raised concerns about groundwater contamination, which must be confirmed by geohydrology studies. A section 20 directive has been issued in terms of the National Water Law to address river cleanup measures for both surface and groundwater, ”he said.
“I remain encouraged by the messages of support from environmentalists, activists and other experts involved in the fight against pollution … Some have offered their experience as we work with Transnet to rehabilitate and clean the environment.”
Dube-Ncube called on communities to report suspicious tanker trucks or trucks near Transnet pipelines as they were involved in illegal activities.
“As widely reported, there have been 80 incidents of oil extraction from pipelines this year alone and only one conviction in court a few weeks ago. Last year there were more than 100 incidents. In the last incident more than 60,000 liters of crude oil were lost ”, he said.
TimesLIVE
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