Cape Town wants answer on Seli 1

The wreck of the Seli 1 broke into pieces in September 2011, spilling oil onto Cape Town beaches. Picture: Aletta Gardner/EWN

CAPE TOWN - The City of Cape Town said on Sunday it was awaiting a response from the National Treasury, following a request for more money to remove the wreck of the Seli 1.

Strong winds and big swells pounded the wreck this weekend, breaking the stranded bulk carrier into three and damaging one of the cranes on board.

This caused oil to spill onto nearby Tableview beaches and both Blouberg and Dolphin beaches were affected.

The city’s JP Smith said routine inspections will continue on Sunday, while mopping up operations will only resume on Monday.

The vessel ran aground in 2009, amid extreme weather and an estimated R40 million is needed to remove the wreck.

- EWN