Durban South community feels let down following Engen refinery explosion
The South Durban Community Environmental Alliance says they feel the government and the Engen Oil company has failed to protect the Durban south community.
This after an explosion at the refinery in Merebank yesterday that injured 7 people. The roofs of two apartments nearby caught fire allegedly as a result of flying embers from the refinery.
The cause of the blaze is still being investigated.
Co-Ordinator of the alliance, Desmond D’sa says when the blast happened, no one knew what to do.
"What we saw was that there were no sirens that went off and more importantly no evacuation plan for the people. We blame the problem on government who has failed to protect the interests of the people of south Durban", he said.
D'sa says they plan to protest outside the refinery next week.
"We are calling for independent investigation. We do not want government to investigate as we do not trust them. We need maybe a retired judge to head up a public hearing", he said.
