Assmang poisoning probe adjourned

The inquiry into the exposure of workers to poisonous fumes at Durban’s Assmang plant was today (Fri) adjourned to April (21-25) and May (26-30) respectively.

The week-long enquiry which, on the eve of its resumption this week, was overshadowed by a horror blast that killed six workers at the same plant, aims at determining the possible causes of manganism which about 40 employees are believed to have contracted.

This week’s proceedings were commended as “a huge success” by presiding enquiry chairperson Vuli Sibisi and all parties concerned pointing out the probe had managed to gather a lot of evidence from different witnesses throughout the week. Cross examination of submitted reports will continue during the next sitting.

Meanwhile Labour Inspectors have lined up a series of inspections, advocacy campaigns and investigations targeted at the Cato Ridge plant as part of the Department’s resolve to get to the root cause of the incidents that continue to plague the Assmang plant.