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Missing RSSC man revealed

08/06/2012 00:00:00 KHULEKANI NENE

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MHLUME - Management of the Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation (RSSC) and the family of the missing employee, Lucky Sifundza were on Tuesday, locked in a four-hour meeting.

The meeting which took place at Mhlume Sugar Mill management offices, started at 1pm and lasted until 5pm in the evening.

The meeting was convened by RSSC management to update the Sifundza family on the issue of their missing son.

The meeting was also aimed at hearing the family’s concerns about their missing son, who was last seen in the morning of May 23 after clocking in for work.

Management is said to have explained to the family that investigations are still ongoing since there is no conclusive evidence proving that Sifundza was killed at the mill.

Management further used the opportunity to comfort the Sifundza family.

Family members were further advised against talking to the media since that, according to RSSC, may jeopardise the investigations process. Family members asked management what had happened on the day Sifundza disappeared. Management is said to have urged the family to be patient while waiting for the return of the DNA test results.

Present during the meeting were William Sifundza, Lucky’s father and Elmon Magagula, his uncle.

It was also announced during the meeting that Sifundza senior would be given leave in order for him to get adequate time to try and deal with the matter.

Sifundza senior is also employed by RSSC as a driver. When sought for comment he declined to comment referring all questions to RSSC Corporate Affairs Manager, Twini Nxumalo.

Nxumalo confirmed meeting the Sifundza family on Tuesday, at Mhlume, but did not give details of the meeting.

Sifundza has been missing for 16 days now.

A first for RSSC

MBABANE - Lucky Sifundza’s disappearance is unprecedented in the company’s history of more than 50 years of operations in Swaziland.

This was disclosed by the Royal Swazi Sugar Corporation (RSSC) yesterday. Sifundza disappeared shortly after he clocked in for a 6pm shift on May 23 at the Mhlume Sugar Mill.

A thorough search of the whole plant took place on May 23 including, in particular, the area around his work station. The milling train was stopped to conduct a thorough search.

Interviews were conducted with his colleagues to establish the sequence of events leading up to Sifundza’s disappearance.

RSSC scheduled a lengthy shut down of the entire plant from Tuesday, May 29 and the whole of Wednesday May 30, to enable a comprehensive search of the premises. Every part of the mill was searched, including Mhlume boilers, but no evidence was found.

No suspensions

MBABANE – No employees have been suspended at the Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation (RSSC), it has been clarified.

This follows a media report in the Swazi Observer suggesting that five employees were suspended due to the ongoing investigations.

Group Human Resources Manager, Lomkhosi Magagula, said there was no way they could have suspended any employee because investigations had not been concluded.

He explained that following Lucky Sifundza’s disappearance, RSSC formed a task team to investigate the incident. The team included representatives from the Royal Swaziland Police, factory management, and representatives from employee organisations.

"We await their report as well as the findings of the police," she said.

... workers hold night prayer

MHLUME - Workers at Mhlume sugar mill hosted a prayer service on Tuesday night in which they prayed for the Sifundza family.

The night prayer was held at Mhlume hall and was attended by workers and Mhlume residents.

Workers did not only pray for the family but also prayed for the quick conclusion of the matter. A worker who attended the service told this reporter that the prayer took less than two hours.

"The prayer was aimed at praying for the Sifundza family in these hard times. Workers also prayed for the quick conclusion of the investigation," said a worker on condition of anonymity.

Family advised to postpone funeral

MHLUME - Lucky Sifundza’s family has been advised to postpone the funeral which was scheduled for this weekend.

The Sifundza family had planned to bury his clothes as the body is still missing.

During a meeting with RSSC management, on Tuesday, the Sifundza family revealed that they were contemplating having the funeral this weekend. Management, however, reportedly advised the family to postpone the funeral as the DNA test results have not been released.

The corporation feels the family should wait for the results of the investigation first.

Despite objecting at first the family then agreed to postpone the funeral.

Meanwhile mourners who were now flocking to the Sifundza homestead, in preparation for the funeral, have since been sent back leaving only those who live near the homestead.

William Sifundza declined to comment on the issue but did confirm that there would be no funeral this week.

Mill workers questioned by the police

MHLUME - Some workers at Mhlume Sugar Mill have been questioned by the police concerning the disappearance of a worker at the factory, on May 23.

When sought for comment, Police Public Relations Officer, Superintendent Wendy Hleta, confirmed that police have been visiting the mill adding that this is part of the ongoing investigation.

"Since the investigation is ongoing, we cannot give details of what is happening or whom we have spoken to because that can impact negatively on the whole investigation process. Once the investigation process is concluded the findings will then be made public," she said.

DNA tests conducted, results on Monday

MBABANE – A report that might shed light on what happened to Lucky Sifundza is expected on Monday.

In a press statement RSSC explained that pieces of cloth found in the mill did not match his clothes, and simulation tests conducted on hard hats and gum boots similar to those he was wearing were inconclusive.

RSSC MD Nick Jackson said investigators had taken blood samples from his relatives to help determine what may have happened.

DNA tests are being conducted as part of the investigation. The results are expected on Monday.

"The information collected so far remains inconclusive. We continue to follow all possible leads to establish the sequence of events and locate Sifundza.

"We have been in regular contact with Sifundza’s family and his colleagues to keep them informed of the progress of the investigation,"said Jackson, adding that counselling was available to all RSSC employees.

Comments

Thanks sir they should close
Jun 8, 2012, 9:47 AM, Lulove (Www.lulove@facebook.com)