Agri SA: Dringende ondersoek na probleme met dieselvoorsiening

Agri SA het ‘n beroep op die regering gedoen om dringend ‘n ondersoek te loods na die voortslepende tekort aan dieselvoorsiening aan verskeie industrieë.

Volgens Agri SA is een van die hoof redes hiervoor die voortdurende vandalisme en diefstal van diesel deur goed georganiseerde sindikate uit die dieselpyplyn vanaf Durban na Johannesburg. Dit veroorsaak ernstige probleme vir Transnet ten opsigte van die bestuur en instandhouding van die pyplyn.

Hierdie probleem het ook daartoe aanleiding gegee dat diesel met vragmotors vanaf ons hawens vervoer moet word, wat dan die koste verhoog.

Boere wat tans produkte soos mielies, sitrus en ander gewasse oes word veral ernstig benadeel weens die verhoging in koste en beperkte beskikbaarheid van diesel in sekere provinsies. Agri SA monitor die onderbreking in dieselvoorsiening van die begin af en neem deel aan weeklikse gesprekke met die Suid-Afrikaanse Petroleumnywerheidsvereniging (SAPIA) om terugvoering te ontvang asook die stand van voorraadtekorte wat deur ons lede in elke provinsie ervaar word bekend te maak.

Boere sukkel om diesel vir oesdoeleindes te koop. Dit is ook die geval in talle ander industrieë.

Transnet besit, bestuur en bedryf ‘n ondergrondse netwerk van 3 800km hoëdruk petroleum- en gaspyplyne. Sedert April vanjaar was daar reeds meer as 30 gevalle van diefstal uit die pyplyn, waartydens meer as 2 miljoen liters brandstof gesteel is. Diewe beskadig die pyplyne en verbandhoudende infrastruktuur tot ‘n toenemende mate vir hierdie doel.

Agri SA en sy provinsiale affiliasies het in samewerking met Transnet ‘n veldtog geloods ten einde boere aan te moedig om enige kriminele optrede gemik op beskadiging van die pyplyn om diesel te steel aan te meld.

Verdagte aktiwiteite kan by die volgende nommers aangemeld word: 0800 203 843 of 031 361 1500, of SAPS Crime Stop op 08600 10111.
Agri SA skakel ook voortdurend met Transnet oor die veiligheid van die boerderygemeenskap wat naby die pyplyn woon, asook oor die pyplyn as sulks.

Lokfoto: Illustrasie van Brandstof pyplyn brand tydens ‘n vorige voorval

Agri SA: Urgent investigation into problems with diesel supply needed

Agri SA is calling on government to launch an urgent inquiry into the continuous shortage of diesel to various industries.

One of the key reasons is the continuous vandalism and theft of diesel by well-organised syndicates from the diesel supply lines from Durban to Johannesburg. This poses a serious challenge to Transnet who is responsible for managing and maintaining the pipeline.

It has resulted in diesel being transported by trucks from our ports which in turn increases the cost.

Agri SA has been monitoring the diesel supply disruptions from the onset and has been part of a weekly meeting with the South African Petroleum Industry Association (SAPIA) to receive feedback and to convey the status of the diesel supply constraints experienced by our members in each province.

Farmers are battling to buy diesel for harvesting purposes. Many other industries too. The agricultural value chain is heavily dependent on diesel for harvesting and to transport produce to offset points.

Transnet owns, manages and operates an underground network of 3 800 km of highpressure petroleum and gas pipelines. Since April this year, more than 30 fuel theft incidents have occurred on the pipeline during which more than 2 million liters of fuel were stolen. Thieves are increasingly damaging the pipelines and associated infrastructure to steal diesel.

Agri SA and its various provincial affiliates, in collaboration with Transnet launched a campaign encouraging farmers to report any criminal activity aimed at vandalising the pipeline to steal diesel.

Suspicious activities can be reported at the following numbers: 0800 203 843 or 031 361 1500 or to call the SAPS Crime Stop on 08600 10111.
Agri SA is also in continuous contact with Transnet regarding the safety of the farming community near the pipeline, as well as the pipeline itself.

Feature Image: Illustration of a previous incident when the pipeline was damaged