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Johannesburg - Greenpeace is monitoring the clean up operation of areas affected by a major diesel spillage in Durban, the environmental advocacy group said on Thursday.
"Greenpeace Africa is monitoring the situation with expectations of an efficient and speedy clean up of the affected areas," spokesperson Mbong Akiy said in a statement.
She was reacting to reports that a pipeline between Durban and Johannesburg burst in an upmarket housing complex on Durban's outskirts spilling 200 000 litres of diesel,
The Daily News reported on Wednesday that the pipe burst in the early hours of Tuesday morning in the Greenvale Village Complex.
The pipeline was shut down and Transnet Pipelines spokesperson Saret Knoetze reportedly said a repair team and an environmental team had been dispatched.
The value of the fuel lost was estimated at R2.4m and the clean up bill would run into millions.
"The negative impact of such spills on both people and the environment is immeasurable, and our thoughts are with all of those who have been affected by this massive diesel oil spill," said Akiy.
She said the spill was a stark reminder of the dangers associated with dirty fossil fuels, and the limitations associated with Eskom's over-reliance on diesel to keep open-cycle gas turbines working during the current electricity crisis.
"South Africa's government needs to act now to ensure a clean and sustainable future for its citizens, which will only be made possible through an ambitious increase in investments in clean renewable energy."
