Denel explosion: families approach Mkhwebane, Gordhan to probe

A SURVIVOR of the Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) explosion has recalled the “horror” of the incident as the third anniversary approaches.

Shafeeka Naidoo, 44, was working in a building next door to where the explosion took place which killed eight colleagues.

“It was exactly 3.27pm – three minutes before I was to call it a day. I heard a loud bang from the building known as NL16, next door to mine. I must have been thrown to the ground as a result of the impact. A colleague who came to my rescue managed to pull me out,” Naidoo said.

Naidoo worked as a casual worker at the plant for six years before she was made a permanent worker a month before the September 3, 2018 explosion at the Somerset West factory.

“I have suffered a lot – I have been diagnosed with breast cancer and severe lung illness. I am also on psychiatric treatment. I can’t sleep without taking medication,” Naidoo explained.

In July last year the company stopped paying Naidoo’s salary even though she said she was injured on duty.

Instead, she was allegedly advised to apply for a state social grant.

“With no medical and trauma assistance, I now rely on public healthcare and financially on my parents who are both social grant beneficiaries,” Naidoo added.

Those who died in the tragic incident included Jason Hartzenberg, 22, Jamie Haydricks, 24, Bradley Tandy, 19, Triston Davids, 22, Nico Samuels, 41, Steven Isaacs, 51, Mxolisi Sigadla, 40 and Thandolwethu Manjayi, 27.

Some of the families have now approached Public Protector Busisiwe Mkhwebane and the Minister of State Owner Enterprises, Pravin Gordhan to investigate alleged offences by the company.

Lawyers acting for some of the families said they had “reason to believe” that one of the workers, Samuels, was instructed to blend and coat the Clear Blasting Ignites although this had allegedly not been cleared by the lab.

“We call for an independent investigation or probe into maladministration, negligence and improper conduct which may have caused the September 2018 explosion,” the letter read.

Angel Samuels said the day would “open up wounds” as the families were struggling to find closure.

An internal investigation by the company said the NL16 building where the incident occurred was used for blending large volumes of propellant from smaller sub-lots.

RDM spokesperson Ruby Maree said an investigation by the Department of Labour was “still ongoing” and it had not received a status update.

A spokesperson for Gordhan said the department did not have direct involvement in RDM but would co-operate with any investigation.