Families of the eight employees who were killed in the devastating blast at Rheinmetall Denel Munition (RDM) in 2018 were reunited at the Somerset West plant for a commemorative memorial service on Sunday (3 September, marking the fifth anniversary of the tragedy.
Around 11:00, relatives of the blast victims gathered at the memorial wall and garden established at the RDM depot and dedicated to the memory of their loved ones following the tragic loss.
The initiative was spearheaded by community activist and family representative Rhoda Bazier, who said a memorial service will be held at the spot every year on 3 September to commemorate the young lives tragically ripped away from their still bereft families.
The gathering took place shortly after the affected families were informed that the provincial Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) had decided not to prosecute anyone for the fatal explosion, which apparently occurred during the propellant blending process at RDM.
The blast claimed plant supervisor Nico Angelo Samuels (41), team leader Stevon Robert Isaacs (51) and operators Mxolisi Sigadla (40), Bradley Tandy (18), Jamie Lesley Haydricks (24), Jason Hartzenberg (22), Triston Lance Davids (21) and Thandolwethu Mankayi (27). It also destroyed the entire building, damaging the immediate surrounding blast walls.
The decision was communicated in a letter addressed to the legal representative of the families last month (August).
It comes after the national Department of Employment and Labour established a Section 32 inquiry to probe the blast in May 2021 and follows the recommendation from inquiry chairperson Mphumzi Dyulete for criminal prosecution as the report detailed several contraventions, including a “failure to conduct the risk assessment when installing a new iris valve, deemed the modification by the employer”.
“We call on the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) to launch a full inquest into the matter as the then RDM CEO was not present at the inquiry hearings or testify on the matter,” said Bazier.
“We want an in-depth investigation into the incident, calling back the CEO and every person involved in the blast.”
Sunday’s programme started with a prayer and singing of the hymn “We bless your name”. Among guests present was Pastor Craig Damon of the Word Impact Bible Church who, in a short and sweet devotional message, reminded the bereaved families of the blessed assurance that God is with them as the Comforter of all comforters.
The Sauls sisters, Whitney and Almaz, had the audience in tears with their rendition of “Deur die Vallei”, while Macassar resident Rozete Adamsa recited her stirring poem “The 3rd of September, a day to remember”.
There were those who were also determined to use the occasion to express the sentiments of many in the community. Davids’ grandmother expressed her disappointment at the absence of RDM employees or representatives at the gathering, and that the ammunitions manufacturing giant had left the family with nothing but empty promises and no answers about what had happened on that fateful day.
“Five years later and we are still where we started,” she declared. “So many unanswered questions and no-one taking responsibility for the incident that claimed our loved ones. We cannot rest. If we had known what work they were expected to do, we would have declined the opportunity and been happy with dry bread on the table. Instead, our sons and fathers are gone; we were left to bury coffins without truly knowing whether they contained their remains.”
John Pretorius, a family representative and South African National Civics Organisation (Sanco) executive committee member, also called out RDM representatives’ absence, suggesting a lack of support and apparent indifference. “The labour department must be commended for its sterling efforts and the significant recommendation,” he said. “However, it now feels as if so many hopes are now rendered false by the decision not to prosecute.
“We are infuriated. For the past four years we have made no progress in an apparent dispute between two state entities. It is heart-wrenching to see how my government is treating its people.”
Haydricks’ father, Wayne (59), who together with his 11-year-old son travelled mostly on foot from Happy Valley to attend the memorial, expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to be present at the service, but also the importance of criminal prosecution.
“The munitions giant will never pay because they have the money to cover it up,” he said. “The case must go to court; it’s the only way justice will be served.”
While supporting the families’ collective call for further action, Terry Crawford-Brown, country coordinator in South Africa for WorldBeyondWar, a global movement to end all wars, also raised the issue of an ammunitions manufacturing factory being located in a residential area, mentioning the extent of contamination from the old Somchem – RDM’s predecessor before it took over in 2008 – and the safety and health consequences.
“The area could be redeveloped to create more and better jobs instead of killing people with the exportation of ammunition. It is imperative that, in addition to looking after and giving support to the families, we look at the issue for the wider community.”
