COSATU and NUM sends condolences to victims of the collapsed bridge

Mbasa Gqokoma

15 October 2015

The Congress of the South African Trade Unions says it is saddened and shocked by the collapse of a temporary bridge on the M1, next to Grayston off ramp in Johannesburg yesterday afternoon.

COSATU’s National Spokesperson Sizwe Pamla says the federation demands a thorough and transparent investigation of the incident. Pamla says “We would like to see all responsible parties held accountable. What is disturbing for us is that this is becoming a trend, not so long ago, there was a mall collapse in KZN.

Pamla says “We feel that construction companies are abandoning their responsibilities of adhering to health and safety standards and we think that regulators and the department of Labour has to clamp down on this recklessness and make sure that construction companies keep up their end of the bargain and not just workers, but communities at large”

Meanwhile, the National union of Mineworkers says it wishes to pass its heartfelt condolences and sympathy to the families of the deceased and those who were injured when the temporary bridge collapsed.

NUM’s National Acting spokesperson, Livhuwani Mammburu says, “Construction companies must always make sure that they adhere to the required standards.”

Mammburu adds that “We are indeed gravely concerned about the accidents in the construction company and we hope that the department of Labour will investigate and find out what caused the collapse of the bridge. We therefore demand transparent investigations to this incident and proper corrective action must be taken against anyone who is found responsible for this incident.”