The Airports Company South Africa (Acsa) could face charges of criminal neglect after an aviation fuel leak at OR Tambo International Airport, Beeld reported on Wednesday.
It said conservation organisations described Tuesday’s spill — the third since July last year — as an environmental disaster.
Between 500 000 and a million litres of fuel leaked into a storm-water drain at the airport and Blaauw Pan, a protected wetland about a kilometre downstream.
Acsa became aware of the leak around 5.30am, and all fuel supplies to the airport were suspended until 7.25am as a precautionary measure. Some flights were delayed for up to two hours.
Officials from the Department of Water Affairs called an emergency meeting with Acsa on Tuesday afternoon.
Deputy director of water quality management Marius Keet said legal steps were being taken against Acsa over a previous spill in September. Tuesday’s leak would be added to the charges. If negligence was proven, Acsa would be prosecuted.
The Gauteng Environmental and Conservation Association intended filing separate criminal charges in terms of Article 29 of the Water Act against Acsa head Monhla Hlahla and Ekurhuleni mayor Duma Nkosi, said chairperson Nicole Barlow.
Acsa spokesperson Solomon Makgale said the company complied with international safety standards. It was not yet clear how much fuel had been lost. – Sapa