A Transnet-owned gas pipeline in Springfield Park, near the Bisasar Road Landfill site in Durban, has been damaged and shut off following a tractor accident on the property.
Transnet Pipelines chief executive, Michelle Phillips, said in a statement that the accident had occurred on Thursday afternoon after the tractor had been deployed to the site to clean up rubbish that had been illegally dumped on the property. She said the tractor had accidentally hit and damaged the pipeline.
“Due to a fire on the adjacent landfill site, the Transnet Pipelines team could not access the pipeline to establish the full extent of the damage, and as a safety precaution the pipeline was isolated and gas flow through the pipeline was stopped,” Phillips said.
“The fire was brought under control late last night and the repairs will commence this morning (Friday). Transnet Pipelines has notified all downstream users and will endeavour to effect the repairs as soon as possible.”
She added that emergency services had assisted at the scene to secure the pipeline and keep the community safe.
