Labour

NUM outraged by latest fatality at Lethabo power station

NUM is calling on the labour department to launch an investigation into the latest incident.

The National Union of Mineworkers (NUM) has expressed shock at the death of a member who died while on duty at Lethabo power station. Another employee suffered serious injuries and is recovering in hospital.

“This incident comes after the recent fatality that could have been avoided at Kusile Power Station where one of the Eskom contractors lost his life due to the storage equipment that fell on him,” said Duncan Luvuno, NUM Health and Safety Chairperson.

“This is becoming a trend which should be deemed as the wake-up call for Eskom management. They should stop [being arrogant] and engage organised labour as partners in leadership and seek lasting sustainable solutions. We are, however, going to allow the enquiry to give us answers of what really happened,” Luvuno added.

The union has also expressed concern over the fatalities within the construction, energy and mining industries. NUM leaders met with senior Eskom management and the company CEO, following the incident.

“NUM believes there is a lot of improvement that should take place pertaining to seriousness in which Eskom takes stakeholders like trade unions on matters such as these, and NUM will engage in vigorous engagements with the company to ensure that trade unions are treated with respect when participating in such important activities”, they said in a statement.

The union has further slammed the Department of Labour for refusing to sit in on a meeting with unions.

“This behaviour is most regressive and not assisting our relationship with the Department”

Thabo Baloyi
t.baloyi@politicalanalysis.co.za