/ 30 January 2008

Union demands to see report on Sasol explosion

Trade union Solidarity on Wednesday demanded that the Department of Labour publish a detailed report about an explosion at Sasol in which 10 people were killed.

”Solidarity demands publication about the 2004 Sasol explosion within 48 hours,” said union spokesperson Jaco Kleynhans.

He said that the union wants the information — which has been kept under wraps — to be disclosed in terms of the Promotion of Access to Information Act.

”Parties involved with Sasol have been kept in the dark regarding the findings of the investigation, and they are entitled to fair access to this information,” said Kleynhans.

On Tuesday, the National Prosecuting Authority (NPA) announced that two independent contractors will face charges of culpable homicide in connection with the Secunda explosion.

The blast happened on September 1 2004, claiming 10 lives and injuring more than 100.

The plant, part of Sasol’s polymers chemical production division, was undergoing maintenance and there were several contractors on site at the time of the explosion.

The NPA will not institute charges against Sasol as no negligence was found on its part.

The Department of Labour could not be reached for comment. — Sapa