adminLeonard Ncube Victoria Falls Reporter
A LOCAL coke producer has come under fire for violating occupational safety rules after it allegedly concealed the death of a worker who died in a work-related accident.
South Mining, a coke processing firm in Hwange, is being investigated by government after a worker, Khoniwe Nyoni, 43, died after he was squashed by a machine.
The accident occurred a fortnight ago and Nyoni was buried last week at his rural home in Gondwa, Mbizha Ward under Chief Shana in Hwange District.
The issue was initially not recorded as a workplace accident as the company allegedly reported it as sudden death until National Social Security Authority (NSSA) officers moved in to investigate after they were tipped off by some workers.
NSSA general manager, James Matiza, said the social security authority team moved in after receiving a report.
He said investigations were underway.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira was last Wednesday briefly spoke about the issue in Victoria Falls on the sidelines of the 41st African Regional Labour Administration Centre (ARLAC) Governing Council meeting.
Briefing journalists, the Minister said preliminary findings established violation of safety procedures by the employer.
“We received a report about the death of a worker after a block that had been poorly welded broke. Preliminary findings indicate violation of safety procedures by the employer and investigations by police and factories and works inspectors are still in progress” said the Minister.
The machine had been welded to extend its length and was being used to lift a cage in the workshop, the Minister said.
A source from NSSA who spoke on condition of anonymity owing to protocol said they received reports that the incident was not the first one to occur at the firm. The source said all previous incidents were swept under the carpet.
“We received a report about the incident and as we checked we found out that it could be the third accident and all were not reported.
A police report was only made after our officers visited the mine,” said the source.
Nyoni was reportedly ferried to hospital but was pronounced dead on arrival.
It was recorded as sudden death SDD 3/15 and a police report (226340) was also compiled, according to records at NSSA.
Workers who spoke on condition of anonymity for fear of victimisation said the company’s conditions of service were poor. They said workers did not have protective clothing while some alleged gross harassment by some senior staff.
“The company doesn’t pay attention to the safety of workers. We work without safety shoes or any protective clothing. On the day Nyoni died, we had asked a manager for permission to cut through the machine to save our colleague who could have survived but he refused. The manager told us that he couldn’t allow us to break the machine because it was expensive.
“There are many other cases and none of them was reported. Workers at some point wanted to go to Harare to meet management but because of victimisation and fear of losing jobs everyone kept quiet,” said the employee.
Chief Shana said the community leadership was not happy with the manner the company handled the Nyoni issue.
“We received a report that a machine fell on a worker and people were complaining that there were no safety measures in place at South Mining. Workers allege the machine was pulled by a rope which broke resulting in the machine hitting the deceased. We heard the worker wasn’t taken to hospital on time. We’re working out ways of how best we can engage the company. We’ve informed the District Administrator Tapera Mugoriya about our position,” said Chief Shana.
Charles Muchabaiwa, the company’s spokesperson, could not comment on the matter as his phone went unanswered.
Online Reporter