Worker dies when team trying to unblock municipal sewer get trapped

By Kaizer Nengovhela

Three contract workers from a private company were rescued and one died on Thursday (26th) after the fourmetre-wide hole they were digging to fix a sewer line collapsed on them, trapping them inside the manhole.

The HTE Construction company was hired by the Vhembe District Municipality to fix the blocked sewer pipe in the industrial area in Louis Trichardt. Residents have been forced for months to watch their step as a stinky sludge of toxic sewage seeped from this manhole.

The incident occurred at around 09:30 that day. Local emergency services were summoned, and Polokwane EMS also arrived with their helicopter to help rescue the three workers who were still trapped inside the manhole. The oper- ation took several hours, but by 15:00 the men were finally freed. One worker died on the scene, while two were rushed to Louis Trichardt Memorial Hospital for treatment and were later discharged. A fourth worker had sustained only minor injuries.

The deceased was identified as Livhuwani Samuel Madou (38) from Vhutuwangadzebu in Nzhelele.

The police spokesperson, Sgt Irene Radzilani, confirmed the incident and said an inquest docket had been opened.

The spokesperson of Vhembe District Municipality (VDM), Mr Matodzi Ralushai, said that they were saddened by what had happened. “One loss is one too many, and we send our sincere condolences to the family and everyone who had the pleasure of knowing and working with the deceased,”

Ralushai said.

The managing director of HTE Construction, Mr Humbulani Musandiwa, said that he had gone to the site with one of the Department of Labour’s officers before work had commenced to check that the site was compliant with the Health and Safety regulations, and that everything had been in place.

Musandiwa described the late Madou as a humble, reasonable and dedicated worker whose contributions would be missed. “He would come and greet everyone in the morning before he commenced with his duties. He was a very good advisor, who advised us on many work-related issues. He would also encourage the other workers to work hard.”

Madou will be buried at Vhutuwangadzebu on Saturday, 4 February. The service starts at 06:00.