South Africa’s state security minister Dipuo Letsatsi-Duba has visited the scene of an explosion near Cape Town in which eight people died following an explosion at a munitions factory on Monday.

She expressed shock during the visit and said the government is still waiting for the outcome of the investigation into the cause of the blast.

Residents who live in the area described hearing a loud bang that rattled windows and doors.

The company has assured residents that the plume of smoke that followed the blast is not a health risk.

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