_: The Department of Environmental Affairs’s Oil Spill Response team, in collaboration with the local municipality, SANParks and CapeNature, is working around the clock in putting up protection measures and cleaning up the oil spill in the two estuaries on either side of the bulk carrier, the Kiani Satu.

The team has boomed off the Goukamma estuary, which is on the eastside of the grounded bulk carrier. The Swartvlei estuary, on the westside of the Kiani Satu, has also been partially closed and is being closely monitored for any oil pollution.

Reports from the department’s oil spill aerial surveillance aircraft, Kuswag 9 (K9), indicate that while light oil is visible on the beaches, most of the oil leaking from bulk carrier, is moving offshore away from the coast. The K9 is currently stationed in George and is providing aerial monitoring twice daily.

The Kiani Satu, carrying 330 tonnes of heavy fuel oil and 15 000 tonnes of rice, ran aground just west of Goukamma River estuary on Thursday last week.

For enquiries, contact:
Zolile Nqayi
Cell: 082 898 6483

Ernest Mulibana
Cell: 082 263 7373