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COSATU Mpumalanga statement on the death of twenty one farm workers in a train accident

13 July 2012

The Congress of South Africa Trade Unions in Mpumalanga is shocked and angered by the death of 21 farm workers in an accident involving a train and a truck this morning the 13 July 2012 at a level crossing between Hectorspruit and Malalene in Mpumalanga.

Nineteen workers died on the spot and two others died on their way to hospital after the driver of truck transporting (45) workers to an orange farm did not stop at a railway crossing and collided with a train.

Twenty four (24) of the (45) workers were seriously injured and were taken to different hospitals in the area.

COSATU in Mpumalanga demands that the road traffic authorities must leave no stone unturned in determining the real cause of the accident.

COSATU demands that the Provincial government must investigate as to why 45 workers were transported on at open truck instead of being provided the safe transport.

No amounts of words can describe this tragic loss of lives. It is truly a moment of sadness for the province.

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