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23 February 2024
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City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department closes down an illegally operated liquefied petroleum gas depot in Laezonia
City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department fire safety officers conducted a site inspection at an illegally operated liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) depot at a plot in Laezonia, south-east of Tshwane, on Monday, 19 February 2024. The inspection was a follow-up on an inspection that was conducted in December 2023 following a complaint that the department received from concerned members of the public. During the December 2023 site inspection, the owner of the facility was issued a contravention notice to cease operations and close the facility, where two 9 000-litre LPG storage tanks were erected without the necessary permits.
However, on 19 February 2024, fire safety officers found employees on the site loading LPG cylinders on to an unroadworthy bakkie and trailer. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the illegal installation was filling assorted sizes of LPG cylinders, ranging from 9kg to 19kg and 48kg.
Additional support from the Tshwane Metro Police Department was requested and, upon arrival, confiscated equipment used to fill and scale LPG cylinders. The owner was issued with a R15 000 contravention fine on three offences as stipulated in the City of Tshwane by-law. During the period, the owner arranged a certified truck to remove 43 LPG cylinders (25 x 48kg, 10 x 19kg and 8 x 9kg cylinders) from the site to a site in Midrand, which the owner alleges is certified. City officials will engage Johannesburg Fire Safety to monitor the compliance of this company.
The owner of the facility promised to appoint a service provide to decant and remove the two illegally erected tanks. The department will randomly monitor the site to ensure that operations are never resumed.
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department is monitoring the plots in Laezonia because an illegal diesel depot was also discovered and closed in the area in 2023. The department further calls on residents to desist from establishing illegal businesses that process, handle, store and distribute hazardous substances without the necessary permits from the City of Tshwane and relevant government departments.
Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious illegal activity related to the processing, handling and distribution of hazardous materials as follows:
• Visit your local police station or call 10111
• Call the Tshwane Metro Police Department on 012 358 7095/7096
• Contact the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department on 107 toll-free or at [email protected]
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department will not tolerate any illegal processing, handling, storage and distribution of hazardous materials that pose a risk to the environment and the health, lives, livelihoods and property of Tshwane residents.
Source: Deputy chief Thabo Charles Mabaso, public information and liaison officer for the City of Tshwane Emergency Services
However, on 19 February 2024, fire safety officers found employees on the site loading LPG cylinders on to an unroadworthy bakkie and trailer. Upon further investigation, it was determined that the illegal installation was filling assorted sizes of LPG cylinders, ranging from 9kg to 19kg and 48kg.
Additional support from the Tshwane Metro Police Department was requested and, upon arrival, confiscated equipment used to fill and scale LPG cylinders. The owner was issued with a R15 000 contravention fine on three offences as stipulated in the City of Tshwane by-law. During the period, the owner arranged a certified truck to remove 43 LPG cylinders (25 x 48kg, 10 x 19kg and 8 x 9kg cylinders) from the site to a site in Midrand, which the owner alleges is certified. City officials will engage Johannesburg Fire Safety to monitor the compliance of this company.
The owner of the facility promised to appoint a service provide to decant and remove the two illegally erected tanks. The department will randomly monitor the site to ensure that operations are never resumed.
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department is monitoring the plots in Laezonia because an illegal diesel depot was also discovered and closed in the area in 2023. The department further calls on residents to desist from establishing illegal businesses that process, handle, store and distribute hazardous substances without the necessary permits from the City of Tshwane and relevant government departments.
Members of the public are encouraged to report any suspicious illegal activity related to the processing, handling and distribution of hazardous materials as follows:
• Visit your local police station or call 10111
• Call the Tshwane Metro Police Department on 012 358 7095/7096
• Contact the City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department on 107 toll-free or at [email protected]
The City of Tshwane Emergency Services Department will not tolerate any illegal processing, handling, storage and distribution of hazardous materials that pose a risk to the environment and the health, lives, livelihoods and property of Tshwane residents.
Source: Deputy chief Thabo Charles Mabaso, public information and liaison officer for the City of Tshwane Emergency Services