By Cliff Shiko
Editor-in Chief
A factory worker has lost his hand after a machine sliced his left hand at work.
A 28-year-old Eugene Jali from Komani, Queenstown in the Eastern Cape, will now have to learn to live without his left hand.
He works for Truda Foods,the company that produces products such as soft porridge, Soya Mince and maize snacks popular known as “Go-Slow”.
In a detailed statement released by the Independent Komani Residents Association (IKORA) ,the movement has called for the company to take full responsibility for the tragedy.
Spokesperson Rodger Xalisa says the company has poor health and safety conditions and management has been turning a blind eye to the cries.
The injured worker was in ICU this week and has now been discharged.
“The workers have consistently been informing the management of the poor health and safety standards.
“They have been pointing out the hazardous nature of their working environment but because in their majority, they are black Africans and females in particular, it seems to us that their cries had always reached deaf ears of white male bosses.”
The company recorded over 30 injuries in the year 2020.
“This is not the first incident in the company and surely not the second – there has been a series of events where the lives of workers have been compromised to the core, others lost their fingers too.”
The civil society movement has called on the Department of Labour to conduct its own investigation against the company.
Truda Foods’ chief operating officer (COO) Steven Edwards, however, said it was “absolute rubbish” that the health and safety standards at the factory were poor.
Edwards said after Hlomendlini’s accident, the department of labour conducted an audit of the factory and was satisfied with the health and safety standards at the factory and that similar audits have been previously conducted by the department.
Edwards added that the department expressed that Hlomendini, who he said has a year of experience at the factory and has received training, had been extremely careless.
Edwards said Hlomendlini’s accident was “very unfortunate”, adding that the machine which injured him has clear signage cautioning that hands should be kept clear and has a safety switch.
I was also injured at Truda Foods on the 11 November 2020,after couple of weeks I was fired for negligence hence I provided enough evidence and 2 witnesses on my behalf ,they testified but they turned a blind eye to to their testimony ,I still have pictures and recordings of the 2 hearings where they claimed that they lost the CCTV FOOTAGE ,when I requested for it,everything that was said on that day ,I recorded it .Please I would like you to publish my story ,they have sent a letter from their attorneys that prohibit me from posting about them claiming that I am ruining the company’s reputation ,they were concerned and worried because they new that everything I shared on facebook was true ,and I also people who were injured at work and not compensated .for mor whatsapp 0825980044
We are very sorry about that leadership,and we have seen your email, we will work on that…