A ‘massive diesel spillage’, caused by thieves tampering with Transnet’s multi-product pipeline between Durban and Heidelberg, has led to the contamination of the Meul River in the eastern Free State.
The problem came to light when the Transnet Pipelines National Control Centre detected a drop in pressure on the pipeline. Transnet believes the spillage was a result of tampering with a block valve chamber.
Said Transnet Pipelines chief executive Michelle Phillips: ‘The emergency teams were immediately deployed to the site to contain and recover the product. In the past year, Transnet has implemented various security interventions to address the fuel theft attempts, which have yielded positive results and reduced the number of incidents by 50%, compared to prior years.’
Phillips added: ‘We continue to work with law enforcement agencies to stop this criminal activity and keep the pipelines and surrounding communities safe.’
[Image: https://www.transnetpipelines.net/technical/]