Oil Spill - Another knock to the Umbilo Rive

[Umbilo River Community United]

Another knock to the Umbilo River... An environmental tragedy.

Transnet Oil running along M7 highway in between N3 Freeway and Bellair road (Vusi Mzimela road) burst yesterday and flowing to Umbilo river. Spill tech on site fixing the pipe.

Oil already in the harbor

Durban's bay and extensive harbour is home to a remaining 15 hectare stand of mangroves - where formerly there were extensive mangroves (438 hectares) right around the edges of the bay - that is today a protected natural heritage site.

https://www.sa-venues.com/attractionskzn/bayhead-natural-heritage-site.php

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bayhead_Natural_Heritage_Site

Tragic.

[Umbilo River Community United]

TRANSNET PIPELINES THEFT INCIDENT

20 October 2020

Transnet Pipelines (TPL) has contained the crude oil spillage which occurred on 19^th October 2020, in the Bellair area, Durban. The spillage is a result of an attempted theft incident on the crude oil pipeline. 

Immediately following the incident, Transnet activated its emergency response plan and team, whose focus was on limiting the extent of the spillage and recovering product. The leak from the pipeline has been plugged and preparation is currently underway to commence full repairs. 

As a precautionary measure, no fishing will be permitted in the harbour area for the next seven days.  Cleaning and rehabilitation of the stream between the source of the spillage and the harbour has commenced.

Thus far, in the current financial year, Transnet Pipelines has had over 80 incidents of fuel theft, including incidents of attempted theft, i.e. tampering with pipeline infrastructure with the intention to steal fuel.  The costs of these incidents are significant and include the cost of product, repairs and environmental rehabilitation where the fuel theft incidents resulted in environmental damage.

Transnet Pipelines (TPL), an operating division of Transnet SOC Ltd. operates and maintains a network of 3800 km of high-pressure petroleum and gas pipelines from Durban to Gauteng across five provinces. 

Transnet Pipelines has implemented various action plans to address the continuing fuel theft incidents along the pipelines, some of which have yielded positive results in the past.  These include collaborating with law enforcement agencies, which has led to numerous arrests, and impounding of vehicles and fuel tankers. The first successful conviction was recently obtained and the perpetrator was sentenced to 13 years.  The sentencing sends a strong message to other perpetrators that tampering with essential infrastructure is a serious offence which will be dealt with accordingly.

The pipeline is classified as essential infrastructure, therefore tampering, or colluding to tamper, is a Schedule 5 offence in terms of the Criminal Matters Amendment Act, Act 18 of 2015.  

We therefore appeal to residents or any persons living near the pipelines or driving past, especially at night, to report any suspicious activities e.g. bakkies, fuel tankers in the area of the block valve chambers or near our pipeline markers etc.  The toll free number is 0800 203 843.

It is of utmost importance to Transnet Pipelines to ensure that the pipelines remain a safe and cost-effective transportation mode of petroleum products and that we fulfil our commitment of security of supply of petroleum products to the inland market area. 

 

Ends

Issued on behalf of Transnet Pipelines by the Acting Chief Executive, Ms Tanuja Naidoo

By: Saret Knoetze, Spokesperson saret....@transnet.net

031 3611366/083 282 8780

 

 

 

[Umbilo River Community United]

KZN: Umbilo River. Transnet SOC Ltd Pipeline Oil Spill. MEC on site. 

*Crude Oil Spillage: MEC visiting Umbilo River and Bellair* 

 _Urgent media Statement by the MEC for Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs Nomusa Dube-Ncube_ 

20 October 2020

 *Durban at 17h14* : I have assigned a team of environmentalists from my department to work with Transnet following a pipeline theft incident that resulted in the spillage of crude oil in the Bellair Area, in Durban.

As the department, we wish to indicate that at this stage, we are working with all role-players to implement spill containment measures to prevent damage to the environment.

It is for these reasons that I have undertaken to visit the Umbilo River and all other affected areas in Bellair to assess the damage to the environment.

I will ensure that all spheres of government work in an integrated manner in order to strengthen measures undertaken by Transnet as part of cleaning and rehabilitating the source of the spillage and the harbour.

Critically, we are calling upon communities to work with law enforcement agencies to ensure that those who are responsible for vandalizing Transnet Pipelines are brought to book.

I have been informed by Transnet that they have recorded over 80 incidents of fuel theft and incidents of attempted theft. They have also recorded cases of tampering with pipeline infrastructure with the intention to steal fuel. 

As it has been pointed out in various platforms, Transnet operates and maintains a network of 3800 km of high-pressure petroleum and gas pipelines from Durban to Gauteng across five provinces.  

We have a responsibility as the people of this province to ensure that we protect this valuable infrastructure which is critical for our economy.

Ends

*ISSUED BY THE MEC FOR THE DEPARTMENT OF ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT, TOURISM AND ENVIRONMENTAL AFFAIRS NOMUSA DUBE-NCUBE*

Enquiries

Ndabezinhle Sibiya – 082 375 4742

Nathi Olifant - 060 970 5113

[Umbilo River Community United]

UMBILO RIVER OIL SPILL TRAGEDY: The South Durban Community Environmental Alliance (SDCEA) is calling for an investigation by the Green Scorpions after hundreds of thousands of litres of crude oil spilled into the Umbilo River this week.

The spill is believed to have come from a Transnet pipeline. Transnet says the spill has been caused by thieves tampering with the pipeline infrastructure in order to steal oil. However, SDCEA maintains the pipeline is old and corroded and should have been closed when the new New Multi-Product Pipeline was built.

Spill Tech and the KZN Dept of Economic Development, Tourism and Environmental Affairs are at the scene, working around the clock but despite hundreds of booms, the oil has reached the Durban Harbour and the Bayhead Mangroves. The Bayhead Natural Heritage Site protects some of the last remaining, and most accessible, estuarine tidal flats in Durban Bay. These sandbanks provide vital feeding areas for waders and the mangroves are an essential ecosystem for around 120 species of aquatic birds. 😪
 
READ ARTICLES & WATCH VIDEO
Thousands of litres of crude oil spills into Umbilo River: https://www.iol.co.za/news/south-africa/kwazulu-natal/look-thousands-of-litres-of-crude-oil-spills-into-umbilo-river-d870bb74-2d16-4b5d-8d0c-1f80e6257010
Highway Mail video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBQZpbg_yrw&feature=emb_logo
Durban/Joburg fuel pipeline opens after years of delays, spiralling costs: https://retailbriefafrica.co.za/durbanjoburg-fuel-pipeline-opens-after-years-of-delays-spiralling-costs/

https://www.groundup.org.za/article/massive-oil-spill-umbilo-river/

[Mandy , Dog Guru SA]

Will there be a need to help the birds and wildlife ? How can I help?

[Sandra Streak]

There has been little mention of such as yet, but there are guaranteed to be casualties... so so tragic

I would suggest if anyone finds any animal or bird in distress, please do contact:

CROW - Centre for Rehabilitation of Wildlife
Address: 15a Coedmore Ave, Yellow Wood Park, Durban, 4004
Phone: 031 462 1127

There are bound to be domesticated animals who get caught up here too.... SPCA can be contacted

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Please invite interested parties to Umbilo River Community
 
Umbilo River Community
 
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link to view files:
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Everyone is urged to make a stand and do what you can with this information within your abilities and means.
 
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Yours Sincerely

 Sandra Streak

Tel: 0822271179

Email: streak...@gmail.com