Metro cracks down on illegal gas depot
Tshwane EMS spokesperson Deputy-Chief Charles Mabaso said that the owner was issued with a R15 000 fine following complaints by concerned residents in Laezonia.
Tshwane Emergency Services (EMS) has shut down an illegal liquid petroleum gas (LPG) depot in Laezonia and fined the owner.
EMS spokesperson Deputy-Chief Charles Mabaso said his safety officers inspected the premises on February 19 following complaints from the local community.
“This was a follow-up inspection to the first in December,” said Mabaso.
He said during that inspection, the owner had been issued a contravention notice to cease operations and close the facility.
“Two 9 000-litre LPG storage tanks were erected on the premises without the necessary permits.
When fire safety officers followed up, they found employees on the site loading LPG cylinders onto an unroadworthy bakkie and trailer.
A further investigation determined that the illegal installation was filling assorted sizes of LPG cylinders, ranging from 9kg to 48kg,” said Mabaso.
He said they called the Tshwane metro police (TMPD) for additional support, who confiscated the equipment used to fill and weigh the cylinders.
“The owner was issued with a R15 000 fine on three offences.”
The owner then arranged for the 43 LPG cylinders to be removed from this illegal site to one he claimed was legal in Midrand.
Mabaso said his officials would ask their Johannesburg counterparts to inspect the Midrand site for compliance.
The owner promised to appoint a service provider to decant and remove the two illegal tanks, and Mabaso said his department would randomly inspect the site to ensure operations never resumed.
“EMS is monitoring the plots in Laezonia because an illegal diesel depot was also discovered and closed in the area in 2023.”
Mabaso urged residents to be aware of regulations around hazardous substances and called on them to desist from establishing illegal businesses that process, handle, store and distribute such substances.
He said that necessary permits were needed from Tshwane and relevant government departments.
Residents can report their suspicions about such illegal activity to:
– local police station or call 10111
– TMPD on 012 358 7095/7096
– EMS on 107 toll-free or emergencyservices@tshwane.gov.za
“EMS will not tolerate any illegal processing, handling, storage and distribution of hazardous materials that pose a risk to the environment, health, life, livelihood and property of Tshwane residents,” said Mabaso.
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