Sifundza's death was no accident
　
MHLUME – Colleagues of the late Lucky Sifundza have raised concerns over his death, which they have described as murder.
The employees have narrated how the machine in which Sifundza is said to have been crushed operates.
They mentioned three key things in their analysis of the incident, which they said needed to be investigated to prove that Sifundza could not have died if there was no man behind the whole incident.
The employees said the nature of the machine does not allow large material to pass through but instead gets blocked and comes to a halt if something big is taken in.
"We know for a fact that this machine could not have ground
Sifundza without stopping. We also have it on record that the machine indeed stopped at about 8pm, about two hours after Sifundza and seven others started their shift at 6pm," said employees.
Investigate
They said upon stopping, employees need to investigate the cause and even in this case they could have realised that Sifundza’s body had blocked the machine and reported him instantly, instead on reporting him missing at about 1am the following day.
When asked on how Sifundza may have got into the machine in the first place the employees said he could have been assigned to check on something after the machine was switched off.
They said procedure was that the supervisor would not allow the machine to be restarted without ensuring that everyone else was safe.
"In any case, the others have to run an alarm to indicate intention to start the machine, which helps individuals to move away from areas of danger and be in safety," they said.
The third indicator that the employee pointed out was the discovery of bits and pieces of human flesh in different areas within the company.
They said Sifundza’s flesh should have been found in one area where the pipe through which they were transported deposited its contents.
Analyse
"Some of this flesh was found in a plastic bag and if you analyse this and the time it took the others to report his missing, it shows that someone was trying to clear the flesh off the machine because he was found immediately after the machine was blocked the night that preceded his being reported missing," they said.
Sifundza was reported to have been crushed during the milling process.
RSSC determined to pursue the truth
MHLUME – The Royal Swaziland Sugar Corporation is eager to complete the investigation into the death of Lucky Sifundza.
RSSC Corporate Affairs Manager, Twini Nxumalo said they did not believe that it was proper to speculate.
She said they were of the view that all ongoing investigations should be allowed to continue and all processes pursued to completion.
"RSSC understands these concerns. As indicated in earlier statements, we are continuing with the investigations, and we are determined to pursue the truth.
Cooperating
"We are also cooperating with the police in their investigations," she said.
Nxumalo said they would prefer that people, including their employees, who may have information which might help the investigation, supplied it to the police　or their internal investigation teams, instead of first giving it to the press.
"We think this would be constructive and could help the investigations," she said.
No report to Labour Department as yet
MHLUME – The company has not yet forwarded a report to the Department of Labour on the death of Lucky Sifundza.
Acting Labour Commissioner Khabo Dlamini said her office should have received the report by now.
Delaying
She said this is also delaying the compilation of their report on the incident.
Dlamini said they had been to the company twice to inspect and try to find out how the death occurred.
She said, "We are yet to compile our own report but we cannot until we get the company report."
Dlamini said they would use the report for their own records.
On this Twini Nxumalo said, "With regard to reporting, I can confirm that RSSC has complied with legal reporting requirements.
"The report form was submitted to the Commissioner of Labour on June 21, 2012.
Investigations
"We continue to update the Commissioner of Labour as investigations unfold.
It should be noted that publishing　investigations of an unresolved matter is detrimental to the probe, and RSSC will not publish such information."
del.icio.us |
Digg
Post your comment 
s.simelane
on
23/05/2013 17:55:43
Laura Norder
on
23/05/2013 17:49:55
Elizabeth Brewer
on
23/05/2013 16:00:59
Thoughts Without Borders
on
23/05/2013 15:43:09
limpho khoabane
on
23/05/2013 13:41:14