adminTemba Dube Senior Reporter
A POSTMORTEM report for the man who died at National Foods in Bulawayo on Monday shows that he died of suffocation and reveals his windpipe and nostrils were stuffed with maize grains. Domingo Ndlovu, 26, died when fellow workers opened a valve on a maize trolley when he was inside and he was sucked to the bottom of the trolley.
He was buried at West Park Cemetery on Thursday.
His family said they saw a video of the incident, which showed that he was “deliberately” killed by his workmates.
They alleged National Foods management tried to cover up the killing by saying Ndlovu was asleep in the trolley when his friends opened the valve. Domingo’s grandfather, Zephaniah Ndlovu, 77, yesterday said the family was still awaiting the conclusion of police investigations for justice to take its course.
“The video shows it all. The two workmates first checked to see if anyone was watching before deliberately opening the valve leading to Domingo’s death. The police and NSSA officials also saw it. We are waiting for justice to take its course,” said Ndlovu.
He said: “The postmortem shows that he suffocated. There were maize grains lodged in his windpipe and nostrils. This shows that he opened his mouth to scream as the grain buried him alive.”
Ndlovu said Domingo was still single but looked after his grandmother Cecilia Moyo, 78.
A tearful Moyo said; “Death is very cruel my son. Who will look after me now that my grandson is gone? He used to provide everything to ensure I lived comfortably.”
Bulawayo deputy police spokesperson Assistant Inspector Abednico Ncube said investigations were still underway.
“We have not arrested anyone yet. We are still investigating the case of the sudden death that occurred at National Foods on Monday,” said Asst Insp Ncube.
Rosseweater Usayi, the National Foods Limited group human resources executive said the company was working with authorities to get to the bottom of the matter.
“We are working with all relevant authorities and stakeholders including the Factories Inspectorate at NSSA, ZRP and Dube Task Contractors (DTC), the deceased’s employer at the time of the incident.
The specified area where the incident occurred has been quarantined and the maize has also been quarantined,” said Usayi.
“We are close to having a full report on the matter and should there be any suggestions from the full
report that indicates any fault on any of the parties involved, we will take every measure and precaution to avoid this from happening in the future.”
She sent the company’s condolences to the Ndlovu family.
“This sort of incident is a first of its kind and we are shocked and mournful as a result. Our prayers and sincere condolences go to the family of the deceased and we wish that his departed soul rests in eternal peace,” said Usayi.
Online Reporter