Nersa concerned about, calls for efforts to prevent pipeline tampering

5th November 2021

By: Schalk Burger

Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor

     

Font size: - +

The National Energy Regulator of South Africa (Nersa) on November 5 said it was concerned about the persistent tampering with State-owned Transnet's pipelines to steal fuel.

It has also called on municipalities and landowners to cooperate with law enforcement agencies to prevent encroachment on servitudes critical infrastructure traverses.

A fire, allegedly caused by people tampering with the pipeline to steal fuel, in Clairwood, Durban, on October 31, led to the deaths of three people, as well as damage to property and the environment.

"Authorities and municipal structures concerned need to prevent the destruction of public and valuable infrastructure, as this results in dire consequences for the country trying to recover from the economic slump exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic," said Nersa regulator member primarily responsible for petroleum pipelines regulation Muzi Mkhize, who visited the area on November 1.

"We commend the eThekwini Disaster Management Department, the South African Police Service and the eThekwini Fire Department for their sterling and speedy response to quell the fire. We also commend the Transnet Pipelines National Operations Centre for immediately activating its emergency response plan," he said.

Edited by Chanel de Bruyn
Creamer Media Senior Deputy Editor Online

Comments

The functionality you are trying to access is only available to subscribers.

If you are already a subscriber, you can Login Here.

If you are not a subscriber, you can subscribe now, by selecting one of the below options.

For more information or assistance, please contact us at subscriptions@creamermedia.co.za.

Option 1 (equivalent of R125 a month):

Receive a weekly copy of Creamer Media's Engineering News & Mining Weekly magazine
(print copy for those in South Africa and e-magazine for those outside of South Africa)
Receive daily email newsletters
Access to full search results
Access archive of magazine back copies
Access to Projects in Progress
Access to ONE Research Report of your choice in PDF format

Option 2 (equivalent of R375 a month):

All benefits from Option 1
PLUS
Access to Creamer Media's Research Channel Africa for ALL Research Reports, in PDF format, on various industrial and mining sectors including Electricity; Water; Energy Transition; Hydrogen; Roads, Rail and Ports; Coal; Gold; Platinum; Battery Metals; etc.

Already a subscriber?

Forgotten your password?

MAGAZINE & ONLINE

SUBSCRIBE

RESEARCH CHANNEL AFRICA

SUBSCRIBE

CORPORATE PACKAGES

CLICK FOR A QUOTATION