The Department of Environment, Forestry and Fisheries said the smell was likely a combination of elevated levels of sulphur dioxide and hydrogen sulphide.

Sasol said in a statement on Tuesday that its Secunda operations did not have any operational incidents that could have resulted in an increase in sulphur emissions.

The company said it had also started an investigation to assist in identifying the area of origin of the sulphur odour experienced in the region. Sasol could not immediately comment further.

Moneyweb