Deadly sewage hole probed

2004-02-04 12:55

Johannesburg - Labour Minister Membathisi Mdladlana has ordered an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the disappearance of a little boy into an open sewerage manhole in Soweto.

A massive search was under way on Wednesday for Karabo Gwala after two friends he was playing with reported that he had fallen into the hole in Dube Village on Monday.

It was not clear whether he had fallen or had been pushed into the hole through which fast-flowing waste water and sewerage passes.

Upgrading and construction work was taking place on the site which had reportedly not been cordoned off, nor the hole covered.

"Minister Mdladlana said inspectors would investigate whether barriers had been erected around the manhole and if there had been a supervisor on site as stipulated in occupational health and safety regulations," a statement issued on his behalf by his spokesperson Snuki Zikalala said.

"It would be a supervisor's responsibility to ensure that regulations were adhered to and that the manhole cover was replaced after work was completed. My inspectors will deliver a full report to my office. Should there be negligence, the department will take action," Mdladlana said.

He called on the Johannesburg Metropolitan Council to ensure the necessary barriers were in place and workers operated under supervision at all times in order to avoid tragedies of this nature.

"Health and safety regulations are not only there to protect the safety of workers, but also the general public in the vicinity," he said.

- SAPA