According to an SABC report, the company says the explosion occurred during operations. An entire building was destroyed as well as the immediate surrounding walls.

The deadly blast claimed the lives of eight people.

Reports say that the explosion was heard by residents as far away as Elgin and Gordon’s Bay.

The City of Cape Town quickly moved to reassure residents that the plume of smoke which followed the explosion posed no threat to public safety.

Details of what exactly caused the blast are still not clear, but a number of officials have called for the incident to be investigated, including Western Cape Human Rights Commissioner, Chris Nissen, acting president David Mabuza and Natasha Mazzone of the Democratic Alliance.

Condolences to the bereaved families were expressed by all and a speedy recovery for those injured.

The investigation into the explosion is set to continue on Tuesday.

According to the SABC, the South African Federation of Trade Unions (Saftu) says they are angered by the death of eight people killed in the explosion on Monday.

The explosion occurred during operations. Details surrounding the incident are still sketchy at this stage.

The factory produces explosives and propellants for civilian and military use in ammunition.

Saftu General Secretary, Zwelinzima Vavi, says: “We can’t say we are shocked because this is not happening for the first time. We are, however, angered that this is allowed to continue to happen in such a delicate factory that produces explosives for civil and military use.”

“We now demand that a full investigation is conducted to see why there is a repeat of the same explosion.”

SA Breaking News