- Samwu marched straight through a “hazardous cyanide” situation
- The uninformed passer-by only saw the multiple fatalities and bloodied injured lying strewn across Stateway
- They were treated for cyanide burns and inhalation
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The Matjhabeng South African Municipal Workers Union (Samwu) marched straight through a “hazardous cyanide” situation in Koppie Alleen Road on Thursday, 7 September, when members encountered a dangerous goods mock exercise in Stateway.
This happened when a mock-up of a hazardous material accident was executed in collaboration with the Matjhabeng Emergency Services, Lejweleputswa Disaster Management and Sasol to measure the preparedness of the emergency services and hospitals in the Matjhabeng area.
This carefully planned and executed operation relied on meticulous timing and efficiency for its success. No-one foresaw in their planning of eventualities that disgruntled municipal workers would march straight through the middle of the simulated accident scene.
Not in the least flustered by the amassing Samwu marchers, the emergency services, their partners and their “victims” continued with the mock-up.
To the uninformed passer-by the multiple fatalities and bloodied injured lying strewn across Stateway, and the red clad Samwu protesters marching through it all, must have looked like a scene from a bloody, civilian upsurge.
But in truth it was a disgruntled group of workers with the set purpose of handing a list of their very real grievances to the mayor on a parallel mission to the Matjhabeng emergency services, preparing for the eventuality of a major disaster.
The mock-up in Stateway entailed an accident between two tankers – the one carrying fuel and the other cyanide – and also a light delivery vehicle. The “collision” with the smaller vehicle damaged the cyanide tanker, which caused a cyanide spillage onto the road.
The simulated accident stipulated that cyanide was inhaled and absorbed through the skin.
“There were a lot of bystanders who were affected by the cyanide, which caused a total of 50 patients and ten fatalities at the accident scene,” says Francois Klaassen, assistant chief fire officer, and commander of the event.
During the simulation the Matjhabeng Fire Department, Hazquip, the police, the traffic department, and the cyanide team of Harmony Gold Mine responded to the scene.
After triage was done, the patients were transported to surrounding hospitals by the different ambulance services.
“They were treated for cyanide burns and inhalation. Those patients with fractures due to the accident were treated and prepared for operations. This was real,” says Klaassen.
“We are marching to preserve our dignity and better working conditions in Matjhabeng Local Municipality.”
They demand the immediate resignation of the mayor.
The municipal workers’ demands are not trite.
“We are marching to preserve our dignity and better working conditions in Matjhabeng Local Municipality.”
They demand the immediate resignation of the mayor. Their demands include restoring the dignity of the women of the Matjhabeng Local Municipality, a healthy and safe working environment, better conditions of employment, and that due process be followed when appointing people at the municipality.
They want all cessation of political interference in the municipality, and that gender-based violence and harassment be immediately addressed.
