Wits worker dies after inhaling carbon dioxide at protest
BRAAMFONTEIN – Cleaner dies days after inhaling CO2 when students were opening fire extinguishers.
A worker at Wits University died several days after inhaling carbon dioxide (CO2) during a #FeesMustFall protest at one of the university’s residences.
Shirona Patel, head of Wits Communications, explained that an employee of a cleaning company at the university, who cannot be identified until their family is made aware, was in the Jubilee Hall of Residence on the morning of 20 September when protesting students opened fire extinguishers to chase people out of the residence.
The worker inhaled CO2, and began to cough severely. The worker was taken to the Campus Health and Wellness Centre, and to Netcare Milpark Hospital, where the worker was treated and discharged. Then, over the weekend of 24 September, the worker died at home.
“The cause of death is still unknown at this point,” said Patel. “It could have been a previous illness. Wits Security are doing an investigation. Until we have the medical records from the previous employer, we cannot determine the cause of death.”
Patel added that many students opened fire extinguishers around the university to chase people out on that particular day, and Wits Security were interviewing people and looking at video footage to ensure that every student who did so would face disciplinary action. Non-students would face criminal charges. She said that there were just too many protesting students for Wits Security to control on the day.
She extended the university’s sympathies to the family of the worker.
Hillbrow Police spokesperson, Sergeant Mduduzi Zondo said that comment would follow shortly from the police.
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