Explosive materials are reportedly behind last night’s blast at the Rheinmetall /Denel plant near Somerset West.

The City of Cape Town’s Mayoral Committee Member for Safety and Security, JP Smith, says that no injuries were reported. He says that the City’s fire and rescue services had attended the fire, and handed the scene over to the plant’s staff to dampen down the blaze.

A blast at the Rheinmetall /Denel plant occurred at around 11pm Sunday.

All emergency services were on site. Member of the greater Macassar district, Rhoda Bazier has told Radio 786 a few people sustained injuries in the blast. She however complained of the broader health issues on the community caused by the plant.

Not even 48-hours had passed since the group representing the families of eight deceased Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) explosion victims picketed outside the plant’s gates demanding support, when the blast happened.

An expert witness testified at the Section 32 inquiry that the design of the building didn’t meet the industry’s standards for explosive manufacturing. The first blast claimed the lives of eight workers and left several others injured.

Guest: Rhoda Bazier – Human Resources Officer and spokesperson for the group representing the eight deceased Denel workers, ANC PR councillor in City of Cape Town, Deputy Chairperson Greater Macassar