VANDERBIJLPARK.- Thami Molefe, Shart Mofokeng and Mpho Madomesa passed away on Wednesday, 17 February following an explosion at ArcelorMittal (AMSA) which caused a building to collapse.
The employees succumbed to injuries sustained when a portion of a 90m stack at one of the AMSA’s coke batteries failed and fell onto the coke battery control room in which they were working at the time.
National Union of Metalworkers of South Africa (NUMSA) alleges that their members have concerns about poor working conditions.
“They are deeply unhappy with the lack of preparation by management and their slow inadequate response to the incident. They have concerns also about whether the buildings are structurally sound.”
NUMSA met with the minister of the Department of Employment and Labour Thulas Nxesi at ArcelorMittal on Thursday, 18 February.
“We made it clear to the minister that we felt that management did not take the incident seriously enough, and that they failed to deploy more resources in time. We told the minister that we want an investigation, followed up by a formal enquiry into the incident.
We believe very strongly that if there is evidence that the management of ArcelorMittal was negligent in any way, there must be consequences, and that those at the highest levels, starting with the CEO, Kobus Verster, must be held to account.”
Regional Secretary Sedibeng, Kabelo Ramokathali has condemned AMSA for banning the NUMSA’s National Spokesperson Phakamile Hlubi-Majola from accessing the AMSA.
“We are dismayed to learn that the CEO Kobus Verster has instructed security to ban the NUMSA National Spokesperson, comrade Phakamile Hlubi-Majola. The CEO claims that he is unhappy with the fact that the spokesperson recorded a video informing the public of the accident and shared it with the media. We reject this explanation with the contempt it deserves. It is obvious that the CEO is unhappy because AMSA was exposed, not just here in South Africa, but across the globe as well.”
In a statement ArcelorMittal spokesperson Tami Didiza said the company extends its heartfelt condolences and deepest sympathies to the families and colleagues of the deceased. The families of the employees are receiving the necessary support from the company.
