Horrific Disaster 03-04-08

 

The Congress of South African Trade Unions sends its condolences to the families and friends of the workers who have lost their lives in two horrific disasters in African countries.

In Tanzania, 16 mineworkers have been confirmed dead, after floods swept through a mine near Mount Kilimanjaro, the only mine in the world where the violet-blue tanzanite gemstone is mined. 35 people have been rescued but at least 49 others are missing and feared dead, though, scandalously, the number of workers in the mine at the time is not known and could be as high as 80.

This tragedy is not exceptional in Tanzania. In 1998 about 70 people were killed when heavy rains caused a mine to collapse. In 2002 at least 48 workers were killed when a compressor used to pump clean air failed. In the same year at least 39 tanzanite miners died after inhaling carbon monoxide produced from a dynamite explosion. Explosions and suffocation are reported to be common causes of accidents in Tanzania's "wild north", where small-scale independent miners dig remote gem fields in search of tanzanite.

COSATU is shocked at reports that many mineworkers in this area only get food rations from their employers and are paid only if they hit tanzanite, and that some of them work months, if not years, without pay. Many dig in highly unsafe and unstable mines using primitive tools and garden implements such as hoes, picks and spades in a bid to cash in on the potential wealth from the semi-precious stones.

In Angola's capital, Luanda, 30 people died after a seven-storey police squad headquarters collapsed and a further 145 people recovered from the debris have been treated in hospital. Many of the dead and injured were detainees being held while under investigation.

Officials in the police Criminal Investigation Department had previously warned about the deteriorating state of the building but were ignored. A Fire Brigade spokesperson is quoted as saying that "many more buildings" in Luanda had safety problems, including two towers overlooking the Cidadela National Stadium that is to host the opening ceremony of the African Cup of Nations in 2010.

Both tragedies bring home the necessity to prioritise health and safety at work and in public places. Vast profits can be made from mining gemstones like tanzanite but we must not allow this to be at the cost of workers' lives and health.

COSATU demands that full investigations be held into both disasters and the strict safety measures be introduced to make sure there are no recurrences.

Patrick Craven (National Spokesperson)

Congress of South African Trade Unions

1-5 Leyds Cnr Biccard Streets

Braamfontein, 2017