The final sitting of the Department of Employment and Labour-appointed inquiry into the events leading up to the fatal incident at Rheinmetall Denel Munitions (RDM) in 2018 will begin on Monday, 04 April 2022.

The fatal incident occurred at the Rheinmetall Denel Munition N16 plant in Macassar, Western Cape Province　when an explosion resulted in the lives of　eight workers being taken　and one injured.

The Department has since ordered the establishment of a Section 32 inquiry to investigate possible violations of the Occupational Health and Safety Act (OHSA).

Since the establishment of the inquiry, twenty-six (26) witnesses have taken the stand to give evidence before the commission which sat in May and October 2021 respectively.

The commission’s Presiding Officer Mphumzi Dyulete said the last sitting will hear testimony from the last six (6) witnesses comprising two technical experts.

Interested parties in the inquiry include the employer, employees, organised labour, family members, and the Department of Employment and Labour.

Following this last sitting, the commission is set to compile a report and recommendations which will be handed to the Department’s Chief Inspector for consideration.

Date: Monday, 4 April 2022

Time: 09h00

Venue: Old Civic Hall, Brug Street, Macassar

Mapula Tloubatla

Provincial Communications Officer: Western Cape