Factory investigated for manganese poisoning

THE South African Department of Labour is investigating the death of a factory foreman and 23 cases of alleged manganese metal poisoning at a KwaZulu-Natal ferromanganese smelter, the Mercury newspaper reported yesterday.

The investigation follows the death of a 49-year-old father of three earlier this year as well as the discovery of “at least five cases of a highly debilitating brain and nerve system illness” at the Assmang ferromanganese smelter in Cato Ridge, midway between Pietermaritzburg and Durban. The Mercury reported that Assmang is a 50:50 joint venture between of mining magnate Patrice Motsepe’s African Rainbow Minerals Group and Assore Ltd.Directors of the two parent companies include the likes of Motsepe, Cyril Ramaphosa, Rick Menell and Max Sisulu.The reports quote occupational health and injury attorney Richard Spoor as saying: “Clearly there has been gross negligence in medical surveillance procedures (at Assmang).”Freddy Wright, 49, died on January 7 after being admitted to St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg.The Labour department and a private pathologist are looking into Wright’s death.Manganese poisoning, which can lead to a condition called “manganese madness” was first identified in 1837 among Scottish manganese crushers.Wright’s family was interviewed and his daughter Sheri Baker was quoted as saying: “Imagine someone who never cried, suddenly crying like a little baby because of the pain in his head.”The Mercury said a company spokesman had said it “was premature to exclude a possible link” before the autopsy had been completed.Nampa-SapaThe Mercury reported that Assmang is a 50:50 joint venture between of mining magnate Patrice Motsepe’s African Rainbow Minerals Group and Assore Ltd.Directors of the two parent companies include the likes of Motsepe, Cyril Ramaphosa, Rick Menell and Max Sisulu.The reports quote occupational health and injury attorney Richard Spoor as saying: “Clearly there has been gross negligence in medical surveillance procedures (at Assmang).”Freddy Wright, 49, died on January 7 after being admitted to St Anne’s Hospital in Pietermaritzburg.The Labour department and a private pathologist are looking into Wright’s death.Manganese poisoning, which can lead to a condition called “manganese madness” was first identified in 1837 among Scottish manganese crushers.Wright’s family was interviewed and his daughter Sheri Baker was quoted as saying: “Imagine someone who never cried, suddenly crying like a little baby because of the pain in his head.”The Mercury said a company spokesman had said it “was premature to exclude a possible link” before the autopsy had been completed.Nampa-Sapa