Beware of illegal refilling
However, to save additional money, some individuals may unwittingly buy unsafe, illegally filled LPG cylinders.
'If an unauthorised party/person fills the branded cylinder of a legitimate company, instead of the owner of the branded cylinder themselves, or an approved distributor, then it is considered illegally filled,' explains Nomkhosi Makhathini of Easigas.
'The South African National Standard, SANS 10019, requires that all LPG cylinders must be handled and filled by competent and authorised persons, and illegal refillers are usually not adequately trained on how to handle LPG.'
Makhathini outlines the dangers of buying an illegally refilled cylinder:
* Illegal refillers take no liability for accidents.
* They do not check theintegrity of cylinders beforefilling them, which couldresult in leaks.
* Illegally refilled cylinders are not maintained.
* Cylinders filled illegally are often under-filled and sometimes filled with ill-suited substances to increase the weight artificially, meaning
consumers will pay more per kilogram of gas. This not only shortchanges buyers but also results in LPG that burns inefficiently, making it more expensive in the long run.
* Cylinders can also be overfilled and pose a major threat to the public.
* Dealers who buy illegally filled cylinders are breaking the law.
* These cylinders could leak or rupture at home with devastating consequences for the public.
Six tips to identify illegally filled cylinders:
* Examine the seal:
Every cylinder should be sealed with a plastic wrap featuring the gas supplier's official branding and a serial number verifying where it was filled.
* The seal's branding should match the logo printed on the cylinder.
* Check the last recertification date: This information is found on the neck ring and should be less than 15 years old to ensure the cylinder
remains safe for use.
* Look for dents: A cylinder should have a symmetrical shape without any distortions or visible damage, as dents may compromise its integrity.
* Inspect the foot ring: A dented foot ring would not pass a legitimate LPG supplier's safety standards, as it could indicate structural weakness.
* Assess the physical condition: Be wary of signs of corrosion, burns, bulges, or any illegal repairs or modifications. These could suggest exposure to unsafe conditions or inadequate maintenance.
* Perform a leak test:
Apply soapy water around the valve. If bubbles form, there is a gas leak, and the cylinder should not be used.
'Consumers hold the key to addressing illegal refilling through their purchasing decisions.
By making informed choices, they can protect themselves and their families from harm while supporting a regulated industry that upholds strict safety and quality standards,' she concludes.
Should you suspect your cylinder has been illegally refilled, report it to SAPS or the Liquefied Petroleum Gas Association of South Africa (LPGSA).
At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Daily Maverick
8 hours ago
- Daily Maverick
Home Affairs and police deny collusion with Operation Dudula as court battle continues
Accusations of 'state-enabled xenophobia' flew in the Gauteng Division of the High Court on Wednesday as SAPS members and Home Affairs officials denied colluding with the anti-migrant group Operation Dudula. Kopanang Africa Against Xenophobia (KAAX), the Department of Home Affairs (DHA) and the South African Police Service (SAPS) returned to the Gauteng Division of the High Court in Johannesburg on Wednesday for the second day of the legal challenge by KAAX and several other rights organisations against the anti-migrant organisation Operation Dudula. As on the previous day, the gallery was packed with members of civil society organisations that supported the application. The only difference on Wednesday was the significant number of Operation Dudula members, who sat side by side in the gallery with the migrants they oppose. Operation Dudula's president, Zandile Dabula, was also present in the courtroom as the legal representatives for the DHA and SAPS presented their heads of argument in opposition to the applicants' legal challenge. On Tuesday, Daily Maverick reported that KAAX, the South African Informal Traders Forum, the Inner City Federation and Abahlali baseMjondolo filed the legal challenge in 2023 to ask the court to prevent Operation Dudula from assaulting, harassing or intimidating migrants and to stop Operation Dudula from impeding access to healthcare services and schools for the children of international migrants. The DHA and SAPS were added as respondents to the application for allegedly failing to protect vulnerable communities from Operation Dudula's xenophobic conduct and for allegedly colluding with or supporting the group's activities. State-enabled xenophobia One of the arguments that advocate Jason Brickhill, representing the applicants, made on Tuesday was that the SAPS and the DHA colluded with Operation Dudula. 'There is clear evidence that SAPS officials have, at times, acted in concert with Operation Dudula, entering buildings and detaining individuals identified as foreign nationals, including children, without any lawful basis. That sort of collusion undermines constitutional protections and amounts to state-enabled xenophobia,' said Brickhill. Advocate William Mokhare SC, representing Home Affairs, countered by saying, 'To suggest that meeting with Dudula translates to collusion is an absurd proposition. Collusion is a very strong word; it has very strong connotations, it's a serious allegation that cannot be lightly made, it must be made when one has got evidence.' Mokhare said the applicants' bid to interdict the minister of home affairs from colluding with Operation Dudula was inappropriate, and there were other remedies available. He defended section 41 of the Immigration Act, which the applicants sought to have declared constitutionally invalid because it allows for warrantless searches without reasonable suspicion. He argued that the legislation does not authorise warrantless raids or searches of homes but simply allows immigration officers or the police to request the identification of any person, not just immigrants. The SAPS legal team also denied all the allegations made by the applicants. Addressing the applicants' complaint that the SAPS had breached its constitutional duties, advocate W Isaaks maintained that the SAPS had acted within its constitutional and legislative obligations. He denied that the SAPS failed to investigate complaints of criminal conduct by Operation Dudula members against migrants, claiming the police responded to and investigated incidents when complaints were made. Isaaks dealt with some of the examples the applicants cited on Tuesday, including that officers at the Norwood Police Station refused to investigate and pursue charges against Operation Dudula members who threatened and assaulted traders in Orange Grove in 2022 and looted their businesses. He said the police had opened a case of intimidation and malicious damage in that instance, and provided a case number (251/03/2022). He turned to the killing of Elvis Nyathi, who was beaten to death by a mob in an incident that was allegedly incited by Operation Dudula in April 2022, and for which the applicants argued that no members of the anti-migrant group were arrested. Isaaks argued that SAPS investigation into the murder led to arrests, though the case was later struck from the roll due to witness non-cooperation, which falls under the National Prosecuting Authority's purview. He denied that the police colluded with Operation Dudula, saying that joint operations with the DHA were lawful and necessary for identification and verification purposes, and were not conducted at the instigation of Operation Dudula. Judgment was reserved. 'No one will stop us' After the proceedings concluded, members of Operation Dudula gathered outside the court, singing, dancing and bandying about the word ' Makwerekwere ' (a derogatory term for African foreign nationals). At the centre of the camouflage-clad crowd was the organisation's president, Dabula. She told Daily Maverick Operation Dudula only learnt on social media that the proceedings were happening. (The group was in fact emailed the founding affidavit in 2023.) Responding to allegations that members of the SAPS accompanied them on raids and that foreign nationals had been arrested outside the scope of the law, Dabula said, 'They're talking about things that they don't have proof of. For instance, they're talking about SAPS accompanying us on our operations. There's nothing like that.' She insisted that law enforcement members were present only to verify documents and that any document checks followed legal procedures. 'Every time we ask you to produce your document, you'll see or hear us saying, 'Go, the SAPS will verify your document. Because we know we can't physically even look at their documents … it's within their rights, but also there's a citizen's arrest that we can apply as citizens of this country.' She said Operation Dudula was the 'mouthpiece of South Africans' and the nation was facing an 'immigration crisis'. 'People are … seeing us as the only hope that talks about this foreign issue, and we don't mince our words. When we're saying that we want them to leave, we mean just that,' she said. KAAX's Dale McKinley said Operation Dudula did not speak on behalf of the South African public. 'There is a very small vocal minority, which is amplified on social media to make it appear as if large populations of South Africa are xenophobic. This is the point that we were making about Operation Dudula; they contested the elections as a political party, and they got fewer votes than we have members,' said McKinley. DM
The South African
13 hours ago
- The South African
Man who set partner alight sentenced to 18 years
A man has been sentenced to 18 years in prison for the murder of his partner. The 45-year-old Klaas Banyane doused his partner with petrol and set her alight at their residence in A Section, Botshabelo. The victim was rushed to Pelonomi Hospital with severe burn wounds to receive medical treatment, but succumbed to her injuries. When confronted by community patrollers, Banyane fled the scene. Investigations led the police to Verkeerdevlei, where they arrested him. The Botshabelo Magistrate's Court found Banyane guilty of murder and sentenced him to 18 years' imprisonment. Three South African Police Service (SAPS) members were arrested for escorting a vehicle trafficking dagga along the N4 Road near Matsulu T-junction on Tuesday, 10 June 2025. The members, who are aged between 32 and 49, were in full uniform and travelling in a Toyota Corolla carrying 107 bags loaded with dagga. The confiscated dagga is estimated to be worth millions of rands. The Matsulu SAPS received information about the suspects, prompting investigations. The SAPS arrested the suspects, who are now facing corruption charges that they were allegedly involved in. The three suspects are expected to appear at the Nelspruit Magistrate's Court on Thursday, 12 June 2025. ALLEGED SEXUAL OFFENDER'S BAIL APPLICATION POSTPONED The bail application of a 50-year-old man who was arrested for alleged numerous sexual offences has been postponed to 19 June 2025. He faces multiple charges, including sexual exploitation, sexual grooming, facilitating the creation of child pornography and recruiting a child for financial rewards. According to the police, the suspect lured two boys, aged 15 and 16, by promising them gifts in exchange for sexually explicit videos and images. Speaking to The South African, Captain Loraine Earle explained that his application was postponed due to his income bracket. 'His bail application was postponed because his application for Legal Aid was rejected due to his income bracket. He has to seek and appoint his attorney now,' said Earle. The suspect was arrested in Brackenfell and made his first court appearance on 2 June 2025. The investigation is currently underway and additional charges will be added if applicable. Let us know by leaving a comment below or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X, and Bluesky for the latest news.
IOL News
14 hours ago
- IOL News
Municipal police services to enforce immigration laws, regulate sale of second-hand goods
Municipal police services could soon be allowed to enforce immigration laws and detect possibly stolen goods sold as second-hand goods. Image: Ayanda Ndamane / Independent Newspapers Municipal police services across the country are set to be given more powers, including enforcing immigration laws, controlling and preventing the sale of stolen goods. The SA Police Service (SAPS) is proposing changes to the regulations for municipal police services first promulgated in June 1999. According to the SAPS, the proposed revision of the regulations will affect the powers conferred on police officers that may also be exercised by a member of the municipal police services, including metro cops. Municipal police services currently exercise a wide range of powers similar to those of SAPS members, such as investigating crimes under the Criminal Procedure Act, drugs and drug trafficking, domestic violence, and stock theft, among others. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ The changes will grant municipal police services the powers to enforce the Immigration Act of 2002 and demand that any person reveal their identity. 'When so requested by an immigration officer or a police officer, any person shall identify himself or herself as a citizen, permanent resident or foreigner, and if on reasonable grounds such immigration officer or police officer is not satisfied that such person is entitled to be in the Republic, such person may be interviewed by an immigration officer or a police officer about his or her identity or status,' reads the clause municipal police services could be enforcing. Additionally, the Immigration Act makes provision for an immigration or police officer to take such a person into custody without a warrant, and take reasonable steps, as may be prescribed, to assist the person in verifying his or her identity or status, and thereafter, if necessary, detain him or her. The Act also makes it a criminal offence for any person assisting an immigration or police officer to evade the stipulated processes or interfere with such processes. Sellers of second-hand goods could now be subjected to routine inspections by municipal police services to demand a certificate of registration relating to those premises, register, record, book or other document relating to the goods in or on the premises for inspection or for the purposes of obtaining copies thereof or extracts. They can also demand to see any goods found in or on such premises for examination or explain any entry or absence of any entry in any register, book, record or document found. Municipal police services will be allowed to enter, search and seize on the authority of a warrant issued to have access to any document or information that pertains to an investigation and is in the possession or under the control of anyone on the premises that may be used as evidence of a contravention of any provision of the Second-Hand Goods Act. They will be able to seal or seal off the premises at, on, or in which second-hand goods are found, to prevent a person from conducting business in contravention of the Act.
