SowetanLive reports that a major industrial hub in Rosslyn, north of Pretoria, has been declared safe after Saturday's gas leak that led to temporary closure of factories, shops, petrol stations and even a police station.

The leak came from a pipe running underground near Piet Rautenbach Street to the Spar complex. The leak caused panic among people and business owners, who had to immediately shut down on Saturday morning. Akasia police station was also temporarily shut down and two filling stations were cordoned off. Firefighters and ambulances had to be called while police evacuated people and diverted traffic. The City of Tshwane Emergency Services spokesperson Roland Hendricks said the gas pipe was situated in an open manhole about 2-metres underground. “The leak was caused by a grass fire, evacuation had been done 300m to the north, the south and 150m to the east. The entire area surrounding the leak was shut down. As far as we know the place has been declared safe,” said Hendricks. An unnamed truck security guard commented: “The hole has been there unattended for more than three years; this was a disaster waiting to happen.”

• Read the full original of the report in the above regard by Keletso Mkhwanazi at SowetanLive

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