June 23rd, 2005

Following a recent asbestos spill on the M7 near Bellair Road, South Africa, it has been revealed that the company responsible for the transportation could now face prosecution. Twenty tons of asbestos spilled over five hundred meters, and the area had to be cordoned off as a result of the spill.

Eagle Moss Transport is the company responsible for the transportation of the asbestos. A police spokesperson stated, "The company has taken full responsibility for the clean-up operation. The load had come from Zimbabwe. It was stored in Durban harbor, and was on its way to Zambia.

"We are investigating the method of transport for the asbestos. In terms of South African legislation, the product should be packed in containers and these requirements were not met. So, in terms of this there is the possibility of prosecution,” he added.

Although the clean up of the area seems to have been successful, it is not the first spill in the area. Several years ago, a bag of asbestos that had fallen from a truck lay unnoticed for some time before being found and removed.