Denel blast victims honoured

THE families of the eight men who died in the Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) explosion are still receiving support from the company a year later.

The support, which is tailored to the particular needs of each of the families, includes trauma counselling for those who require it as well the covering of a number of financial expenses.

Yesterday, to mark the first anniversary of the tragedy, RDM’s outgoing chief executive, Norbert Schulze, assisted by incoming chief executive Jan-Patrick Helmsen, officially opened the Garden of Remembrance at the company’s head office in Somerset West in honour of staff members who lost their lives or suffered injury while on duty.

Schulze retired last month, handing over the reins to Helmsen, but wanted to personally open the Garden of Remembrance.

The occasion was private and no media were invited following a request from the affected families.

At the unveiling, Helmsen said: “As colleagues, we mourn with the families and friends of those we have lost. RDM staff requested that a memorial event be planned to assist everyone with the first anniversary of the tragedy. The Garden of Remembrance and Memorial Wall is the result – a permanent place of refuge that provides a spot for reflection and meditation and which is open to all.”

The garden features a lily magnolia tree, a palm tree and Cape holly, among other plants.

The garden contains seating and a memorial stone wall, with a black granite plaque engraved with the words: “In memory of our dedicated colleagues. Your lives and contributions will never be forgotten.”

Rheinmetall Denel Munition RF (Pty) Ltd is a hi-tech company and an integrated manufacturer and supplier of selected munitions and explosiverelated products for armed forces around the world.