Rheinmetall Denel Munition launches probe into blaze

Rheinmetall Denel Munition is investigating a fire that broke out on Tuesday at its Somerset West facility.

The blaze started shortly before 10 am, with Cape Town's Disaster Risk Management Centre, Fire and Rescue and EMS responding.

RDM's Lindi Rabopape said no injuries have been reported.

"RDM is committed to operating safely and responsibly and will cooperate fully with the relevant authorities during the investigation. We just want to urge the communities not to be alarmed."

A community group has been calling for an independent investigation into the company's manufacturing and safety protocols, following two previous incidents, where an explosion that killed eight people in 2018 and a smaller, non-fatal explosion in 2021.

The Macassar Activist Forum's Desmond Stevens said the community should not be exposed to risk without transparency.

"The recurrence of such incidents raises urgent questions about oversight, compliance and corporate responsibility." 

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