SAMWU

Worker’s electrocution highlights safety concerns and alleged lack of PPE in Mogalakwena Municipality. The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) demands accountability for the tragic incident. Image: Pixabay.

Union says lack of PPE to blame for municipal worker’s electrocution

SAMWU said the Mogalakwena Municipality worker’s death could have been avoided if he had PPE. The Municipality distanced itself from the allegations.

SAMWU

Worker’s electrocution highlights safety concerns and alleged lack of PPE in Mogalakwena Municipality. The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) demands accountability for the tragic incident. Image: Pixabay.

A worker in the Mogalakwena Municipality in Limpopo was electrocuted while working. The South African Municipal Workers Union (SAMWU) wants the municipality to account for the death.

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SAMWU slams Mogalakwena Municipality

According to SABC News, SAMWU’s Limpopo Secretary Patrick Aphane said the employee’s death was avoidable if he had the requisite Personal Protective Equipment. Mogalakwena Municipality holds that a lack of PPE is not the cause of the death on duty.

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Aphane said waste management, fire and rescue and electricity workers have been working without PPE for eight months.

“If he was given proper protective equipment, then the employee would not have been electrocuted. So, it was a fact that the employee at that time was not having proper protective equipment, that’s why he was electrocuted.

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“We will definitely stand by that the status quo remains the same the employees have still not received protective clothing,” said the provincial secretary to SABC News.

Municipal spokesperson Malesela Selokela distanced the municipality from SAMWU’s allegations and said an external investigator was appointed to look into the matter.

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