Labour dept clamps down on construction company after deaths

a north west construction company was issued a notice on tuesday for contravening occupational safety law by the labour department.
this follows the deaths of two people who drowned in a flooded pit last week.

departmental spokesman snuki zikalala said tsholofelo mbuli, 11, disappeared under water while she and her friends were swimming in one of the open excavations in makau village near ga-rankuwa on wednesday.

the pit was one of the holes dug up by activa constructions to obtain filling for construction purposes.

the girl's friends summoned help from an elderly passer-by, william mfolwane, who also drowned while trying to rescue mbuli.

zikalala said the department slapped activa constructions with a contravention notice ordering the closure of the pits.

"the company was given 24-hours to level all open holes," he said.

"labour inspectors are investigating the cause of the accident to establish whether it was a case of negligence on the part of the company."

labour minister membathisi mdladlana said accidents of this nature were unacceptable.

"construction companies must at all times ensure that community's safety is not compromised. we are not going to tolerate companies that do not comply with occupational health and safety act."

mdladlana called on construction companies in the area to ensure that all burrowed holes were levelled no matter how small, especially during rainy seasons.

labour inspectors would conduct follow-up inspections to ensure compliance in this regard, he said.

"our inspectors will ensure that companies comply with the regulations of our laws for the safety of workers and ordinary citizens," the minister said in a statement.

"in the event that there is a violation of our labour legislations those responsible will be held accountable."

mdladlana sent condolences to the families of the deceased.