Explosion reported at Rheinmetall Denel Munition in Somerset West
An explosion at Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) in Somerset West has left a building alight with no injuries reported.
Image: supplied
An explosion at Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) in Somerset West has left a building alight with no injuries reported.
Social media went abuzz just after 9:50am on Tuesday with reports of the building being alight, including images of it being shared.
The City's Disaster Risk Management spokesperson, Sonica Lategan has shed light on the incident, detailing that fire and rescue teams were dispatched from Macassar and Khayelitsha.
The fire was extinguished shortly after their arrival.
"Disaster Risk Management officials are on site at Denel to assist, where needed, following a fire this morning," she said.
"The City’s Fire and Rescue Service dispatched crews from Macassar and Khayelitsha at 09:50 to a building alight on the premises in Macassar, including the Incident Management Team Type 5. They are assisting crews from Denel to extinguish the fire.
"Emergency Medical Services (EMS) were on scene too, although no injuries were reported.
"As the incident and impact was limited to on site, further enquiries should please be directed to Denel."
In an official statement released, RDM, said an investigation would be launched.
"On Tuesday, April 28, at approximately 9.50am, a fire incident occurred at the Rheinmentall Denel Munition (RDM) facility in Somerset West. No injuries were reported, highlighting the effectiveness of the safety measures in place. Local emergency services and RDM's own teams were quickly dispatched to manage the incident.
"An investigation into the cause of the incident will take place once officials declare the area safe. RDM is committed to operating safely and responsibly and will cooperate fully with the relevant authorities during the investigation."
Community leader Christiaan Stewart said they were also waiting for feedback on the claims.
This year marks the eighth anniversary of the 2018 Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM), the families of the eight workers who died in the tragedy.
Last year, during a memorial service held at RDM, families told the Cape Argus they have yet to receive answers about what happened on the fatal day, including full financial compensation as an inquiry is underway with the Department of Employment and Labour. Foreman Nico Samuels, 41, team leader Stevon Isaacs, 51, operators Mxolisi Sigadla, 40, Bradley Tandy, 19, Jamie Haydricks, 24, Jason Hartzenberg, 22, Triston Davids, 22, and Thandolwethu Mankayi, 27, were killed in the explosion.
In 2023, the Directorate of Public Prosecution said they decided not to institute prosecution despite recommendations made by the Department of Employment and Labour, following a Section 32 inquiry that found there were grounds to criminally prosecute.
The final report was also not made public, and findings were shared with the Chief Inspector of the Department of Employment and Labour (DEL) and the DPP. The DEL was appointed to investigate, and a total of 26 witnesses testified during an inquiry, which included technical experts, ex-employers, and current staff and investigators.
It emerged during testimonies that Nico Samuels had carried explosives inside his private vehicle and that he had been in the process of replacing a valve at N16 where the explosion took place. Earlier, Samuel’s wife told the media that her husband had told her prior to the incident that he had warned his employers not to replace the valve as there was nothing wrong with the old one.