Petrol tanks in a residential area pose a threat
A resident from Pollak Park complained about petrol and other chemicals killing her garden.
Joy Murphy showed the Addie the damage caused by the petrol.
No less than 18 tanks of petrol are standing on an empty lot in Pollak Park surrounded by residential houses.
These tanks contain thousands of litres of petrol and diesel and have been on this premises since around February.
Joy says she and her husband have been living in the house for 52 years and have never had this problem with their garden they have now.
“It’s killing all my trees and plants that are bordering on this property used for the petrol tanks,” she says.
Apparently the owner washes these tanks using water and other chemicals and this might be the cause of the dying plants as it seeps underneath Joy’s wall and into her garden.
Joy says the property belongs to the SAPS.
The residents are faced with the strong smell of petrol every day.
Joy is also worried that there are health risks involved and that it can be dangerous.
“What if one of these tanks explodes or catches fire? There are many houses around here.”
The Addie contacted the owner and he assures the people that there are no risks involved.
“I was struggling to get the necessary permission to use another facility to store these tanks and I have recently gotten the permission, the tanks will be moved there in about a week,” he says.
Joy also fears for the workers on the site as she says she has seen a man climbing through a hole in the tank to get petrol.
She says she has a spring running through her garden and that it can be contaminated with these chemicals.
The Addie has sent inquiries to Ekurhuleni and an investigation is currently underway.
The Health Department has also been made aware of this matter and the Addie is waiting for comments.
