COSATU march against crime and fuel price increases in Cape Town on 4 August 2022. Image: Storm Simpson
COSATU shocked by septic pit accident that left two dead, six injured
Workers at a poultry farm in the Western Cape allegedly developed breathing difficulties after working in and around a septic pit.
COSATU march against crime and fuel price increases in Cape Town on 4 August 2022. Image: Storm Simpson
Two workers died at a Western Cape farm on Sunday, 8 January, after allegedly inhaling fumes from a septic pit they were working in and around. Six other workers experienced difficulty breathing.
COSATU CONDEMNS DEADLY FARM ACCIDENT
The Congress of South African Trade Unions (COSATU) in the Western Cape said the incident occurred at County Fair Poultry Farm.
As previously reported, Captain Frederick van Wyk told The South African the deceased men were aged 33 and 34 years old.
The police said an autopsy would be used to determine the cause of death. An inquest investigation is being investigated by the Kraaifontein police station.
“Anyone with any further information on this incident is kindly requested to contact the investigating officer Detective Const Nonabe of Kraaifontein SAPS on 021 980 5500 or Crime Stop on 08600 10111,” said van Wyk.
According to the private emergency medical service ER24, the workers were overwhelmed by the fumes from a septic pit they were working in.
COSATU wants a thorough investigation into the incident from law enforcement and the Department of Labour.
“Furthermore, these stakeholders must also probe whether there have been any previous similar trends of accidents at the Company. It is also imperative that the Department of Employment and Labour conducts public hearings to get to the root cause of this tragic accident,” said the trade union federation.
COSATU is of the view that the owners and management of the farm must be held liable for the injuries and loss of life of the workers.
“Workers sell their labour and not their lives, and they should not be treated like glorified slaves by greedy employers.”
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