WATCH: Culprit in Wentworth oil spill wanted

A MASSIVE oil spillage at the corner of Lansdowne Road in Wentworth has prompted an investigation to find those responsible. 

The area just off Basil February Road has been used as an unofficial taxi rank for at least two decades. As recently as two to three years ago, heavy-duty trucks have also taken to using the open space for parking.

The South Durban Community Environmental Alliance’s (SDCEA) air quality officer, Bongani Mthembu, said he assumes the spillage occurred on Friday evening, 26 February, or in the early hours of Saturday morning, 27 February.

“We received a complaint at about 11am on Saturday,” he said. “It is a very large pool of spillage. As you travel on the M4 freeway southbound, the smell immediately hits you. In fact, I smelt the oil as I passed the area on the day and it was very strong.”

He said he wondered where the smell emanated from and later received complaints and photographs from residents.

“It then dawned on me that the spillage was the source of the smell. It was really a strong stench. I then notified the water pollution department on Monday, 1 March.”

“To a certain extent, I’m in between regarding the possible reason for the spillage. I can’t really say that the oil was purposefully dumped. I’d like to believe that no sober-minded person would dump so much oil there, which makes theft a possibility. It could be that someone or a group of people tried to steal from a parked truck but ran away when the truck driver noticed,” he said.

Positioned at different parts of the area, street vendors Nokuthula Majola and Virginia Simon both had similar theories to Mthembu’s.

Both women conduct business on weekdays and arrived to find the spill on Monday with no idea of what had happened.

Mthembu further noted with concern the health implications of the taxi drivers and vendors who inhale fumes from the oil all day long.

“The problem now is finding the culprit truck and getting the company to pay for the clean-up. The interesting thing to me now is that no truck has parked there ever since the incident. However, before this, trucks would be found parked there on a daily basis at any given time,” he said.

Ward 68 councillor, Aubrey Snyman said it was unacceptable that the once beautiful open space was a park which flourished with flowers is now a hub of illegal activities.

“The fumes are affecting the residents living close by and environmental officials have been contacted to assist. We are still waiting for them to sort this oil spillage out and fine the culprit who caused such a mess in front of our doorstep.”

He said he had also informed authorities and stakeholders of the illegal parking and dumping that take place. “Hopefully we can have this area fenced up to try and stop all these illegal activities taking place.”

The city’s spokesperson, Msawakhe Mayisela said, “The matter has been referred to the relevant unit to investigate the alleged illegal businesses and illegal land use. Metro Police will also be enforcing by-laws in the area and ensuring that those who contravene them are brought to book.”

Metro Police spokesperson Parboo Sewpersad said his department attended to the scene on Saturday and conducted temporary road closures with traffic control.