SIYABONGA SITHOLE
IN yet another mining fatality, 26-year-old Amogelang Sibilanga was killed after a machine she was operating allegedly failed to detect another machine, resulting in her being crushed to death.
Sibilanga’s death is currently the subject of an internal and external investigation between the Department of Minerals and Energy and the Royal Bafokeng Platinum, which owns Styldrift Mine in Rustenburg.
The National Union of Mine workers (NUM) in Rustenburg, Northwest where the 26-year-old utility vehicle operator died, said her death could have been avoided had the mine ensured her safety.
Sibilanga died on September 11, and was buried in Phokeng on Saturday in a service attended by family, friends and colleagues, who criticised mining bosses for prioritising profit over the safety of employees.
It is alleged the machine she was operating failed to detect the presence of another machine in the same area. The two machines collided, resulting in Sibilanga being crushed to death.
"This fatality could have been avoided. We are saddened by the death of Amogelang, who was still very young and had a whole future ahead of her. She did not deserve to die in such a manner. We are of the view that the mine could have done better to ensure her safety, " NUM regional deputy chairperson Justice Mabaso said.
Mabaso said that almost on a daily basis they received reports of incidents that put the lives of mine workers at risk. Another employee recently lost the use of his leg following an incident at the mine.
"Almost on a daily basis we receive reports of injuries, and Rustenburg is one of the leading regions when it comes to fatalities. Our members work under very bad and dangerous conditions, and when they try to alert officials or refuse to go underground as specified under section 23, they are threatened.
“If the mine did not prioritise production and profit-making over safety needs of its workers, some of these fatalities would have been avoided. Our fingers are pointing at the employer for failing Amogelang.
“Her death has once again cast a spotlight on health and safety in the mining industry, with many of the speakers during her funeral calling for heightened safety measures in the mine,” he said.
Jackie Lebetswe from Women in Mining called for women to unite and tackle their own issues within the sector.
"Amogelang's death should be a reminder that women remain at the receiving end of an unjust sector because women are still a minority and remain marginalised when it comes to issues of safety and other women-specific issues.
“We as women need to unite to stop these fatalities. We cannot fold our arms, which is why we need to come together and conduct our own awareness campaign of the issues we face as women in mining," Lebetswe said.
Royal Bafokeng Platinum, which owns Styldrift, said it was still investigating the fatal death and will only release findings once these investigation were complete.
Spokesperson Thapelo Montshioa said the company takes issues of workplace health and safety very seriously and has a zero tolerance for fatalities in the workplace.
"Investigations by the Department of Mineral Resources and Energy, the company and the union into the incident are currently under way and the results will be communicated to the relevant stakeholders (ie the family and the union) in due course.
“Royal Bafokeng Platinum takes the safety of its employees seriously. Our foremost value is safety and people first, and our safety strategy is centred around the principle of achieving zero harm by developing a resilient safety culture," he said.